Bacteria immobilisation on hydroxyapatite surface for heavy metals removal

Selected bacterial strains were immobilised on the surface of hydroxyapatite (Ca-10(PO4)(6)(OH)(2) - HAp) of natural origin (fish bones). The capacity of the material, alone and in combination with the bacterial strains to act as heavy metal removers from aqueous streams was assessed. Pseudomonas fluorescens (S3X), Micro bacterium oxydans (EC29) and Cupriavidus sp. (1C2) were chosen based on their resistance to heavy metals and capacity of adsorbing the metals.