Optimization of uranium biosorption process by autoclaved Micrococcus Luteus biomass using response surface methodology

Uranium, as one of the heavy metals, is a natural radionuclide that has harmful effects on human health and the environment due to its serious toxicity and radiation properties. Biosorption is a simple and cost-effective technique that can be used for remove of heavy metals and Radionuclides from waste waters. In this study, Micrococcus luteus biomass pretreated with autoclave heat was used. Then, physicochemical factor affecting the biosorption including biosorbent dose, initial uranium concentration, temperature and pH were investigated by Response Surface Methodology. The results showed that the factor of initial uranium concentration, sorbent dose and pH statistically (p-value‹ 0.05) affect the uranium biosorption process. In contrast, temperature factor (p-value› 0.05) statistically have no effect on uranium removal by M. luteus. Discussion and The results indicated that the pre-treated biomass under the conditions suggested by Design Expert software (19.75 g/liter of biomass, temperature 32.14 OC and pH 3.33) is able to remove approximately 99.98 percent of uranium from the contaminated area is 26.11 mg/liter of uranium, which shows its valuable potential in bioremediation applications of uranium from acidic wastewaters contaminated with low concentrations of uranium.