Biosorption Potential of Sargassum for Removal of Aqueous Dye Solutions

Sargassum muticum is an invasive species to the coasts of the British Isles, mainland Europe and North America, with negative ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Pelagic Sargassum inundations on the beaches of the Caribbean have also been causing adverse health, ecological and economic effects. The finding of commercial uses of these biomasses may alleviate the costs of removal and control. Both pelagic Sargassum and S. muticum could be low-cost biosorbents for removing aqueous cationic dyes but may not be suitable for anionic substances without modification. This study found that a Sargassum biomass could remove up to 93% of methylene blue and that the species, concentration and treatment (CaCl2) were all statistically highly significant factors (p < 0.001) in its removal.

Automated summary

Sargassum muticum is an invasive species with negative impacts on the coasts of the British Isles, mainland Europe and North America. The commercial use of these biomasses may help alleviate the costs of removal and control, and they can be effective in removing aqueous cationic dyes.