Bioremediation of Algae-based Water Treatment: Analysis of Algae Adsorption of Heavy Metals Based on Ion Size and Covalent Indices
Abstract
A previous published study completed at Nova Southeastern University determined that Neochloris alveolaris and Neochloris minuta algal strains which were grown in nitrogen-rich (+N) and nitrogen-depleted (-N) environments biosorbed Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ at varying concentrations. These algae biosorbed each metal differently based on their biomass composition (carbohydrates, fats, and lipids) and the type of hard or soft metal acids available, according to the Pearson theory of Hard Soft Acid Base (HSAB) definition. Given these promising findings, this study aimed to further analyze and determine the effect of hard acid ionic metal sizes by using Cr+6, Al3+, Mo+6, and Co+2 on the biosorption capacities of the same Neochloris alveolaris and Neochloris minuta algal strains. The biosorption capacities (qmax) and adsorption efficiencies were determined through the usage of Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The maximum metal biosorption capacities of Neochloris alveolaris and Neochloris minuta were 129.87 ppm for Al3+, 29.91 ppm for Co2+, 5.95 ppm for Mo6+, and 0.59 ppm for Cr6+. The maximum biosorption capacities of the selected hard acid metals were indicative of an association with the metals’ respective ionic size and covalent indices.
Faculty Sponsors
Dimitrios G. Giarikos
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2022 12:00 PM
End Date
4-7-2022 5:00 PM
Bioremediation of Algae-based Water Treatment: Analysis of Algae Adsorption of Heavy Metals Based on Ion Size and Covalent Indices
Alvin Sherman Library
A previous published study completed at Nova Southeastern University determined that Neochloris alveolaris and Neochloris minuta algal strains which were grown in nitrogen-rich (+N) and nitrogen-depleted (-N) environments biosorbed Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ at varying concentrations. These algae biosorbed each metal differently based on their biomass composition (carbohydrates, fats, and lipids) and the type of hard or soft metal acids available, according to the Pearson theory of Hard Soft Acid Base (HSAB) definition. Given these promising findings, this study aimed to further analyze and determine the effect of hard acid ionic metal sizes by using Cr+6, Al3+, Mo+6, and Co+2 on the biosorption capacities of the same Neochloris alveolaris and Neochloris minuta algal strains. The biosorption capacities (qmax) and adsorption efficiencies were determined through the usage of Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The maximum metal biosorption capacities of Neochloris alveolaris and Neochloris minuta were 129.87 ppm for Al3+, 29.91 ppm for Co2+, 5.95 ppm for Mo6+, and 0.59 ppm for Cr6+. The maximum biosorption capacities of the selected hard acid metals were indicative of an association with the metals’ respective ionic size and covalent indices.
