Abstract
Heavy metals are the most hazardous pollutants present in industrial and domestic waste water. The conventional methods for metal ions removal from wastewater are limited by technical and economical barriers, especially when concentration of metals in the wastewater is low (<100 ppm). Therefore the search and development of efficient and low-cost metal removal processes is of great importance. In this research project, two strains of algae Neochloris minuta and Neochloris alveolaris were grown in two different growth media: one with high nitrogen content (+N) and the other which was completely nitrogen depleted (-N). Nitrogen depletion increases the algal lipid content whereas a +N media would allow for the algae to synthesize more proteins. The dried algae strains were then mixed for 1 hour with metal solutions and examined for their biosorption abilities in the uptake of lead, nickel, chromium, copper, cadmium, and cobalt from aqueous solutions. A wide range of adsorption capacities between the strains, the conditions, and the metals were observed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Dimitrios Giarikos
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
Biosorption of Metal Ions by Neochloris Minuta and Neochloris Alveolaris Alga Grown in Regular and Nitrogen Depleted Media
Alvin Sherman Library
Heavy metals are the most hazardous pollutants present in industrial and domestic waste water. The conventional methods for metal ions removal from wastewater are limited by technical and economical barriers, especially when concentration of metals in the wastewater is low (<100 >ppm). Therefore the search and development of efficient and low-cost metal removal processes is of great importance. In this research project, two strains of algae Neochloris minuta and Neochloris alveolaris were grown in two different growth media: one with high nitrogen content (+N) and the other which was completely nitrogen depleted (-N). Nitrogen depletion increases the algal lipid content whereas a +N media would allow for the algae to synthesize more proteins. The dried algae strains were then mixed for 1 hour with metal solutions and examined for their biosorption abilities in the uptake of lead, nickel, chromium, copper, cadmium, and cobalt from aqueous solutions. A wide range of adsorption capacities between the strains, the conditions, and the metals were observed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.
