Investigators: Dilip Kr Markenday(CPCB) and Dr. S K Maiti(1991-97)
Title Objective(s) Methodology

Conclusion/ Contribution made

Benefits
Microbial and Biotechnological Approaches for Biosorption and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metal Contaminants
1. Acclimatization of microbial consortia in a soil per fusion system.

2. To Assess efficiency of acclimatized mixed microflora for removal of metallic contaminants in multi metallic aqueous environment.

3. To assess the biosorption efficiency in single metallic system.

4. To assess recovery of metals from loaded biomass of " During -and post growth" cultivation stage
Soil perfusion system developed in the laboratory and fed with synthetic metallic contaminants.
Metals were recovered by application of some chelating agents.
1. Findings of the present investigation indicate that the soil perfusion system can be used for adsorption/ acclimatisation of metal decontaminating micro-flora. This system has shown 45-67% removal of various metals.

2. Metals like, Co, Cr, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe can be removed around 62% and biomass production was found 0.3 g/L at an HRT of 2 days. Bio-absorbents can be efficiently used as a low cost absorbant for removal of metals from electroplating industries etc
The work has been done in collaboration with CPCB scientists. This technology could be useful for removal of metallic contaminants from effluents.

1