I am working on myco-remediation of heavy metals by using mushrooms and I want to demonstrate the metal removal during the growth phase of mushrooms, because certain mushroom species actively captures metal ions from their contaminated substrate.
My question is that can I use BET theory to validate and present my experimental data?
If yes?
Then please could anyone tell me what are the steps to follow?
If No?
Then, why? and Which possible and exact model can work in my case?
The mechanism of removal is given in the attached image.
Thank you !
The answer is no. BET theory will get you nowhere. My understanding of phytoremediation of metals in soils is something like this: Plants (or in this case fungi) produce ligands that are excreted to the soil during the night, when the plants are respiring. These ligands chelate the metals (mostly divalent) so that they are water soluble. During the day (when plants pump water, the metals are taken up with the water. For mushrooms, the questions are: do they produce and excrete ligands?; when do they do this (is water ever returned to the soil?; and are these ligands similar to those excreted by plants? Regarding BET theory: yes, root surface area is an important property, but this alone does not tell you anything about the physicochemical process (complexation) or transport mechanism (water flow).
Respected Chad T Jafvert,
Thank you very much for your valuable reply. I observed in my experiment that the concentration of several heavy metal decreased from initial to final during mushroom cultivation.
I have tested first order and pseudo first order reaction kinetic equations which are giving good fitness results.
Could you please suggest that how I can employ kinetic isotherm equations in my data.
Again, I am searching for the complete mechanism of removal of nutrients and pollutants by mushrooms from substrate.
Thank you again.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Counseling Psychology
- Confusion