REMOVAL OF COPPER VIA BIOREACTOR BY SOIL ISOLATE PSEUDOMONAS STUTZERI

Prevalence of heavy metals in effluent is a major cause of environmental damages. The most prevalent ones include barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc. As bacterial strain CMG463 identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri removed highest concentration of copper it was also exploited for the removal of copper by developing bioreactor/biofilters and copper level in the out flow of bioreactor determined the removal efficiency. CMG463 cells were immobilized by developing biofilm on sponge; it was also examined by scanning electron microscopy. The biofilter demonstrated efficient removal of copper i.e. 90% from solution containing copper. CMG463 showing highest removal of copper could be exploited for remediation of sites contaminated with copper.