JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

Siderophores are low molecular weight iron-binding ligands produced by aerobic soil microorganisms and some plants roots. They may also develop complexes with other metals such as Cd, thereby influencing the bio-availability, toxicity and mobility of Cd in the soils and aqueous environments. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of desferal siderophore (DFOB) on the adsorption of Cd on muscovite. The adsorption of Cd on muscovite was studied as a function of pH (Cd concentration: 5.0 mg L^-1) in the range of 3.0-8.0, as a function of metal concentration (Cd concentration in the range of 1.5-10.0 mg L^-1); this was done in the absence and presence of siderophore (DFOB concentration 250 μM) using a 24h batch equilibration experiment. The results of pH dependent experiments showed that the siderophore deceased the adsorption of Cd onto muscovite at pH ≥5. The results of the isotherms experiments also showed that the removal of Cd from solution was affected by siderophore in all equilibrium concentrations of Cd at both pHs. Siderophore decreased the adsorption of Cd by the mineral. The Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms described the equilibrium data satisfactorily. The values of Freundlich (K_F) and Langmuir (K_L) bonding constants were greater in the suspensions without siderophore, as compared to those containing siderophore, thereby indicating the low adsorption affinity of Cd on muscovite in the presence of the siderophore.