Biosorption for lead (II) ions from aqueous solutions by the biomass of Spyridia filamentosa algal species found in Indian Ocean

Abstract

Biosorption of heavy metals is an efficient cost effective method for removal of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater. Studies have shown that algal species biomasses have high uptake of heavy metal ions. In this research, an adsorption property of Spyridia filamentosa algal species was studied on the basis of equilibrium isotherms and kinetics from batch experiments. It was found that biosorption capacities were pH dependent. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be at 0.86 mmol/g at pH of 5. It was observed that biosorption kinetics was first within the first 30 minutes before equilibrium was obtained. The effect of light metal ions was found not to significantly affect uptake of lead (II) ions. It was as well found that Spyridia filamentosa biomass could purify 2.1, 1.1, 0.7 and 0.5 liters when the feed concentrations were 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mM, respectively of lead (II) before breakthrough was reached. This study illustrated that that biomass of Spyridia filamentosa is a good biosorbent for treatment of lead (II) contained in industrial wastewater.