Abstract

Recently, concerns about arsenic have been increased due to its high acute toxicity to human and serious environmental problems. In this study, the ability of Halorcula sp. IRU1, a novel halophilic archaea isolated from Urmia lake, Iran for arsenic bioaccumulation was investigated and optimized by Taguchi experimental design. The optimum conditions for high arsenic bioaccumulation by Haloarcula sp. IRU1 could be achieved in the presence temperature 40°C, pH 8 and NaAsO2 at 90 mg/L. Under optimum conditions, the microorganism was able to perform their desired function with a 60.89 percent removal of arsenic. In conclusion, Haloarcula sp. IRU1 is resistant to arsenic and removes it in different conditions.