Biosorption of
Nickel from Electroplating Wastewater using Green Algae Volvox
Kanchana S., Sarojini E. and Anitha Selvasofia S.D.
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 28(6); 59-62;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/286rjce59062; (2024)
Abstract
Of all the forms of water pollution, heavy metal pollution is the most hazardous
as the pollutant is present in mobilized form. The ability of green algae volvox
to biosorb nickel ions was investigated in batch mode so that it may be applied
for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. The batch studies provide significant
information regarding biosorption of nickel on green algae volvox in terms of pH
and biomass dose for maximum removal of Ni(II) from the aqueous solution. The studies
indicated that volvox is an effective biosorbent for Ni(II) removal. The maximum
biosorption capacity was found to be 35.71 mg Ni(II)/g at an algal dose of 1g/L
in 60 min of contact time with initial Ni(II) concentration of 100 mg/L and optimum
pH of 4. The equilibrium studies in batch systems were described by Thomas and Freundlich
isotherms. Best fit was obtained for both the isotherm models.
It was found that the adsorption equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir model.
With the advantage of high metal biosorption capacity, the biomass of volvox has
the potential to be used as an efficient and economic biosorbent material for the
removal of chromium from electroplating industrial wastewater.
