Zn sequestration by Nostoc muscorum: study of thermodynamics, equilibrium isotherms, and biosorption parameters for the metal.

Microbial biosorption has evolved as an effective strategy for heavy metal removal from contaminated waters. The common cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum isolated from the banks of a polluted river in Meghalaya, India, was tested for its potential to remove Zn from aqueous solutions. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) study verified Zn binding on the cyanobacterial biomass, and FTIR analysis revealed many negatively charged functional groups (hydroxyl, carbonyl, alcohol, amine, phosphoryl, sulfhydryl, and carboxyl) on the cell surface that aided in metal binding.

Zn(II) and Cu(II) removal by Nostoc muscorum: a cyanobacterium isolated from a coal mining pit in Chiehruphi, Meghalaya, India.

Nostoc muscorum was isolated from a coal mining pit in Chiehruphi, Meghalaya, India, and its potential to remove Zn(II) and Cu(II) from media and the various biochemical alterations it undergoes during metal stress were studied. Metal uptake measured as a function of the ions removed by N. muscorum from media supplemented independently with 20 μmol/L ZnSO4 and CuSO4 established the ability of this cyanobacterium to remove 66% of Zn(2+) and 71% of Cu(2+) within 24 h of contact time.