Biosorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by green algae Spirogyra species

Biosorption of heavy metals is an effective technology for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. Results are presented showing the sorption of Cr(VI) from solutions by biomass of filamentous algae Spirogyra species. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the adsorption properties of the biomass and it was observed that the adsorption capacity of the biomass strongly depends on equilibrium pH. Equilibrium isotherms were also obtained and maximum removal of Cr(VI) was around 14.7 x 10(3) mg metal/kg of dry weight biomass at a pH of 2.0 in 120 min with 5 mg/l of initial concentration. The results indicated that the biomass of Spirogyra species is suitable for the development of efficient biosorbent for the removal and recovery of Cr(VI) from wastewater. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.