LAUSR

The present study involves a comparison of Azospirillum biofertilizer and lignite for removal of fluoride from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were performed to remove fluoride by the use of Azospirillum biofertilizer and lignite. Fluoride adsorption capacity was found by varying different parameters such as adsorbent dose, pH, initial concentration, temperature and contact time. The adsorption capacity for fluoride by using Azospirillum biofertilizer was 0.456 mg/g and for lignite 0.16 mg/g. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model best fit the experimental data. Field water samples were tested for fluoride removal by Azospirillum biofertilizer and lignite. The fluoride concentration was reduced to the permissible limit.