A heavy metal contaminated soil sample collected from a mine in Chonnam Province of South Korea was found to be a source of heavy metal adsorbing biosorbents.Chemical analyses showed high contents of lead(Pb)at 357 mg/kg and cyanide(CN)at 14.6mg/kg in the soil.The experimental results showed that Penicillium sp.MRF-1 was the best lead resistant fungus among the four individual metal tolerant fungal species isolated from the soil.Molecular characterization of Penicillium sp.MRF-1 was determined using ITS regions sequences.Effects of pH,temperature and contact time on adsorption of Pb(Ⅱ)by Penicillium sp.MRF-1 were studied.Favorable conditions for maximum biosportion were found at pH 4 with 3 hr contact time.Biosorption of Pb(Ⅱ)gradually increased with increasing temperature.Efficient performance of the biosorbent was described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms.Adsorption kinetics was studied using pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models.Biosorbent Penicillium sp.MRF-1 showed the maximum desorption in alkali conditions.Consistent adsorption/desorption potential of the biosorbent in repetitive cycles validated the efficacy of it in large scale.SEM studies given notes on surface modification of fungal biomass under metal stress and FT-IR results showed the presence of amino groups in the surface structure of the biosorbent.In conclusion,the new biosorbent Penicillium sp.MRF-1 may potentially be used as an inexpensive,easily cultivatable material for the removal of lead from aqueous solution.