Removal of heavy metals from rivers in basra governorate using bacillus SPP

The present study aims to isolation, identification and characterization of heavy metal resistant bacteria from six rivers in Basra governorate-Iraq, during October and November, 2013. Three species of Bacillus (B. licheniformis, B. badius and B. megaterium) were isolated on the basis of morphological and biochemical tests and selected based on high levels of heavy metal (lead, copper, cadmium and nickel) resistance. The concentrations of dissolved heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd and Ni) in rivers were determined. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of isolates against Pb, Cu, Cd and Ni, was determined in solid media after 72 h incubation. All isolates were resistant to Pb (2000-2800 mg L-), Cu (200-550 mg L-), Cd (200-400 mg L-) and Ni (300-400 mg L-). In this work we have used living biomass of B. licheniformis, B. badius and B. megaterium to removal of heavy metal ions at different concentrations (25, 50,100) mg L- from aqueous metal solutions. The best concentration to removal was 25 mg L-after 72 h at 120 rpm. % removal efficiency of B. licheniformis was 33.6 for Cd, for B.megateriumwas 28.14 for Pb and for B. badius was 53.1%, 34.46% for CU and Ni respectively.