Selection of Operation Conditions for a Batch Brown Seaweed Biosorption System for Removal of Copper from Aqueous Solutions

Heavy metal exposure from wastewater is an important environmental issue worldwide. In the search for more efficient treatment technologies, biosorption has been presented as an alternative for contaminant removal from wastewaters. The aim of this work is to determine the operation parameters of copper adsorption followed by biosorbent regeneration. The algae Durvillaea antarctica and Lessonia trabeculata were used as biosorbents in batch experiments. These biosorbents were exposed to different conditions, such as pH, copper concentration, exposure time, mass-to-volume ratios and regeneration reagents. Batch sorption tests revealed an adequate pH of 4.5-5.0. The selected biosorbent was D. antarctica due to a considerably higher copper retention capacity. As a regenerating reagent, sulfuric acid was more efficient. For diluted copper solutions (10 to 100 mg L-1), a biosorbent particle size of between 1.70 and 3.36 mm showed better retention capacity than larger particles and a biosorbent mass-to-volume ratio of 10 g L-1 was desirable for these metal concentrations.

Automated summary

Heavy metal exposure from wastewater is a global environmental issue. Biosorption is a promising alternative for contaminant removal. This study investigated the operation parameters and biosorbent regeneration for copper adsorption. The results showed that Durvillaea antarctica algae had a higher copper retention capacity at pH 4.5-5.0, and sulfuric acid was the most efficient regenerating reagent. Particle size of 1.70-3.36 mm and a biosorbent mass-to-volume ratio of 10 g L-1 were desirable for diluted copper solutions (10 to 100 mg L-1).