Biosorption of lead ions by exopolysaccharide producing Azotobacter sp.

Aim: Removal of lead from wastewater using Azotobacter species and optimisation of various parameters to maximise the adsorption of lead by response surface methodology as a tool. Methodology: The bacterial isolate UBI-7 recovered from sewage water irrigated soil was examined for its biosorption potential towards lead. The lead removal efficiency of Azotobacter salinestris was studied with respect to metal concentration (50-250 mg l-1), contact time (24-120 hrs), and pH (4-8).Using response surface methodology, these factors were optimized and R2 value obtained was 0.9710 for lead ions, which indicates the validity of the model. Observation with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope imaging (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopic analysis (EDX) were carried out to confirm lead biosorption by Azotobacter salinestris. Results: The lead tolerant bacterium isolated from sewage water irrigated soil (UBI-7) was recognized as Azotobacter salinestris by 16S rRNA based gene sequence analysis. The highest removal percentage of Pb (61.54) was 50 mg l-1 in 72 hrs equilibration period. Interaction effect between different levels of Pb and different contact time of the solution were found to be significant. Lead biosorption by the organism was confirmed by the changes in stretching intensities of functional groups as well as appearance of strong OH stretching at 3291.69 cm-1. Images obtained from Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopic studies of the bacteria (UBI-7) before and after biosorption clearly indicated lead adsorption. Interpretation: Current study proves that the functional groups of Azotobacter salinestris are involved in lead biosorption from aqueous solution which was confirmed through FTIR.EDX analysis also elucidated the lead absorption by the bacterial cells. Hence, this could be effectively utilized for decontamination of lead from the polluted environment. Key words: Azotobacter salinestris, Biosorption, Lead, Response surface methodology