Title: Removal of bivalent and trivalent ions by Spirulina platensis biomass: batch experiments and biosorbent characterisation

Authors: Alessandra Lodi, Elisabetta Finocchio, Attilio Converti, Carlo Solisio

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering Process, ''G.B. Bonino'', Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genoa, Italy. ' Department of Chemical Engineering Process, ''G.B. Bonino'', Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genoa, Italy. ' Department of Chemical Engineering Process, ''G.B. Bonino'', Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genoa, Italy. ' Department of Chemical Engineering Process, ''G.B. Bonino'', Via Opera Pia 15, 16145 Genoa, Italy

Abstract: The removal of cadmium and chromium, at comparable initial molar concentration (1, 2, 4 mM) has been studied employing progressively increasing concentrations of S. platensis dry biomass. The highest yield of Cd removal (≥98%) was obtained with 2 g l⁻¹ of this biosorbent, whereas no more than 77.5% of Cr was removed with 4 g l⁻¹ biomass. The FT-IR analysis evidenced that the ions removal occurs by interaction mainly between metal and carboxylate groups present on the cell wall. Moreover, whereas Cd was also bound with the OH and amide groups, Cr interacted preferentially with OH groups.

Keywords: bivalent ions; trivalent ions; biosorption; functional groups; FT-IR; adsorption; Spirulina platensis biomass; cadmium removal; chromium removal; adsorption; wastewater treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2010.031528

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2010 Vol.12 No.2/3/4, pp.202 - 213

Published online: 10 Feb 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article