Biosorption of Lead, Copper and Cadmium by the Marine Alga Sargassum Sp

摘要

The biosorption of heavy metal ions lead, copper, cadmium by the marine alga Sargassum sp. was evaluated in this study. The metal ion removal rates were very rapid, with 90% of total amount adsorbed taking place within 60 min. The adsorption capacities of the biomass were strongly dependent on the equilibrium solution pH, with higher pH favoring metal ion removal. Equilibrium experiments were carried out at pH 5.0,4.0 and 3.0 for lead, copper and cadmium ions respectively. Sargassum sp. proved to have a high uptake capacity for these metals, in the order lead, followed by copper and cadmium.