Khan Ayesha Aafrin, Akshay Chavan, Shivani Awale, Pawar Jaya and Kakde Umesh B.
Abstract
Water contamination resulting from heavy metal pollutants is a pressing environmental concern, posing significant risks to both human health and ecosystems. Traditional methods for removing heavy metals from water often prove insufficient and costly, underscoring the need for innovative approaches. Biosorption, a process utilizing living or non-living biomass, offers a promising and sustainable solution. This study focuses on using Ganoderma lucidum, a macrofungus, to efficiently remove mercury ions from water. Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were employed to analyse mercury content and functional groups involved in biosorption. The research shows that Ganoderma lucidum achieved an impressive adsorption capacity of 88.39% at a concentration of 400 ppm, pH 6, and 24-hour contact time. These findings demonstrate the potential of this eco-friendly method for effective water purification and environmental conservation.