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Fungi-Mediated Biosorption for Heavy Metal Removal


Authors : Nikki Nage; Amia Ekka

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 4 - April


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/4ww9d46c

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/hxfx7par

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26apr2426

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Toxic metal-contaminated industrial wastewater poses a serious risk to the environment and human health that calls for efficient cleanup techniques. This thorough analysis looks at biosorption as a viable, affordable substitute for traditional heavy metal removal techniques. In contrast to conventional methods like chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and membrane filtration, biosorption uses biological materials' ability to bind metals, such as bacteria, fungus, and biomass from agricultural waste, to remove contaminants from aqueous solutions. By highlighting both metabolismdependent and metabolism-independent routes that allow metal ion removal through chelation, adsorption, precipitation, and complexation, the study summarizes the state of the art regarding biosorption mechanisms. Fungal biosorbents, which exhibit better performance because of their cell wall composition rich in chitin, polysaccharides, and functional groups that improve metal affinity, get special attention. Important operational variables, such as temperature, pH, biomass content, and metal ion concentration—that affect the effectiveness of biosorption are examined. In order to address metal contamination in industrial wastewater and support larger environmental restoration initiatives, this work highlights the significant benefits of biological remediation, such as economic viability, sustainability, minimal sludge generation, and regenerability of biosorbents.

Keywords : Heavy Metal, Pollution, Bioremediation, Biosorption, Fungi, Fungal Biosorption.

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Toxic metal-contaminated industrial wastewater poses a serious risk to the environment and human health that calls for efficient cleanup techniques. This thorough analysis looks at biosorption as a viable, affordable substitute for traditional heavy metal removal techniques. In contrast to conventional methods like chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and membrane filtration, biosorption uses biological materials' ability to bind metals, such as bacteria, fungus, and biomass from agricultural waste, to remove contaminants from aqueous solutions. By highlighting both metabolismdependent and metabolism-independent routes that allow metal ion removal through chelation, adsorption, precipitation, and complexation, the study summarizes the state of the art regarding biosorption mechanisms. Fungal biosorbents, which exhibit better performance because of their cell wall composition rich in chitin, polysaccharides, and functional groups that improve metal affinity, get special attention. Important operational variables, such as temperature, pH, biomass content, and metal ion concentration—that affect the effectiveness of biosorption are examined. In order to address metal contamination in industrial wastewater and support larger environmental restoration initiatives, this work highlights the significant benefits of biological remediation, such as economic viability, sustainability, minimal sludge generation, and regenerability of biosorbents.

Keywords : Heavy Metal, Pollution, Bioremediation, Biosorption, Fungi, Fungal Biosorption.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - May - 2026

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