Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

BIOSORPTION OF COPPER FROM SINGLE AND MULTIMETAL SOLUTIONS BY MIXED ALGAL BIOMASS

Meenakshi Sati, Megha Verma and J.P.N. Rai

Abstract

In the present investigation mixture of dried green algae was used as a biosorbent for removal of copper ions from single and multi-metal systems. The effects of contact time, biosorbent dose, pH, and the presence of lead or/and chromium ions on the biosorption of copper were studied. The aim of this study was to optimize biosorption process and find out a suitable kinetic model for the metal removal in single and multi-metal system. The experimental results showed that copper biosorption was dependent on equilibrium pH, and biosorbent dose. The presence of lead, chromium or both metals in aqueous solutions suppressed the removal of copper ions. The experimental data were analyzed using two sorption kinetic models, viz., pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order equations, to determine the best fit equation for the biosorption of Cu2+ ions onto the algal beads in different metal systems. The results of the kinetic studies revealed that the biosorption of copper on algal cells followed pseudo second order kinetics.