Biotechnological remediation of arsenate from aqueous solution using a novel bacterial strain: Isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic studies

Arsenic is a global environmental contaminant that imposes a big health threat which requires an immediate attention to clean-up the contaminated areas. This study examined the biosorption ability of a novel Bacillus strain for the removal of arsenate (pentavalent arsenic) from aqueous solution. The optimum biosorption condition was studied as a function of biomass dosage, contact time and pH. Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R), Freundlich, and Langmuir models were applied in describing the biosorption isotherm. The maximal biosorption capacity (92%) was obtained at 25 °C, biomass concentration 2000 mg/L at pH value of 4 and contact period of 50 min. Strain 139SI act as an admirable host to the arsenate. Thermodynamic assessment (ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0) also suggested the chemisorption and feasible process of As(V) biosorption. The reuse study illustrated the highest recovery of 93% using 1 M HCl, and a decrease of 25% in recovery of As(V) ions after 10 times desorption process.