Biosorption and bio-kinetic studies of halobacterial strains against Ni2+, Al3+ and Hg2+ metal ions

The present study is an attempt to find out the promising metal (Ni2+, Al3+, and Hg2+) biosorbant halobacterial strains from saltern pan and to study their biokinetic parameters for metal recovery. Of the selected 65 isolates, Natronobacterium magadii, Natronococcus occultus and Halobacterium sodomense shows the maximum metal resistance activity against Ni2+ (250 ppm), Al3+ (600 ppm) and Hg2+ (25 ppm) metals. Biokinetic parameters such as maximum specific growth rate (μmax), substrate removable [S] rate, half velocity constant (Ks), endogenous or decay co-efficient (kd), yield co-efficient rate (Y d−1) are also analyzed for the selected metals. Further the results of the SEM-EDS analysis confirms the metals uptake of Ni2+ and Al3+ in higher concentration and Hg2+ in lower concentration. It is concluded from the present study that, the biosorption of heavy metals by solar saltern halobacteria can be used as a potential source for the bioremediation of metals.