MEENAKSHI SATI, MEGHA VERMA AND J.P.N. RAI
Abstract
Biosorption of Pb(II) using immobilized beads of green algae, Spirogyra communis to evaluate biosorption potential was studied. The experimental results showed that Pb(II) biosorption was dependent on equilibrium pH, biosorbent dose, initial metal ion concentration and contact time. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were employed to analyze the experimental data. To determine the best fit kinetic equation for the biosorption of Pb(II) ions onto the algal beads two sorption kinetic models, viz., pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order equations were also used. Analysis of FTIR spectra indicated the presence of electronegative functional groups on surface of S. communis responsible for binding of Pb(II) ions.