Removal of Cu 2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions U sing CopperResistant B acteria

Biosorption using resistan t microorganisms is an effective process for treatment of industrial effluents and removal of heavy metals from contaminated sites. In this study copper resistant bacteria from fireworks i ndustrial contaminated soil were isolated, enumerated and characteri zed. The tolerances of the organisms decreased with increase in the copper concentration . The isolated bacterial strain was identified as Bacillussp. and wasresistant to 300 mg/L of copper concentration. Biosorption studies were carried out in theBacillussp. The optimum temperature was determined to be 35 ∞C and pH was 8.0. The maximum removal of 88 % was obtained at optimum conditions when the initial copper ion concentration was 100 mg/ L. Hence the Bacillussp. isolated proved to be an efficient biosor bent.