The True Green Lantern: Algae and its Ability to Remove Heavy Metals from Polluted Waters

The True Green Lantern: Algae and its Ability to Remove Heavy Metals from Polluted Waters

A growing issue in our society is the contamination of our fresh water sources from pollutants such as heavy metals. Algae have recently been examined as a cost effective method to remove these metals from solution, when compared to the various methods that are used by waste removal facilities. This presentation will focus on the biosorption of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) by two species of algae, Neochloris minuta and Neochloris alveolaris. Each species was grown in two separate environments, one with nitrate as the nitrogen source (+N) and another without it (-N); the algae grown without nitrogen had higher amounts of lipids and lower amounts of proteins. Using the four types of algae, the results indicated that all algae adsorb best in low concentrations and adsorbed the greatest amount of lead compared to the other metals.