Study on the flocculability of metal ions by<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus mucilaginosus</Emphasis> GY03 strain

This study deals with the flocculability of two types of metal ions byBacillus mucilaginosus GY03 Strain, with an emphasis on the influence of pH conditions, volume and time of flocculants produced by GY03 Strain on the adsorption of metal irons such as Pb²⁺ and Mn²⁺ and the capabilities of flocculants to adsorb metal ions of different concentrations. The results showed that microbial flocculants produced byBacillus mucilaginosus GY03 Strain are highly capable of flocculating metal ions, but show different effectiveness with respect to the adsorption of Pb²⁺ and Mn²⁺. In accordance with the experimental data and actual waste-water treatment conditions, the relevant regression equation of flocculation has been deduced, which has found some application in practice. The experimental results of this study demonstrated that microbial flocculants produced byBacillus mucilaginosus can be used to treat metallic ion-containing waste water. In practical application the volume of microbial flocculants required and flocculation conditions should be taken into comprehensive consideration in accordance with the properties of metal ions, the composition of anions and the solubility of other metals, in combination with the cost and effectiveness of flocculants to be used. Flocculant used in this experiment has the advantages of being applied over a wide range of pH values, small flocculant volume, and rapid speed of flocculation. So this kind of flocculant is within excellent prospect of application. This research project was financially supported jointly by the State Key Lab. of Environmental Geochemistry Foundation of Chinese Academy of Sciences (HDH010901) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2003033496).