Survey of non-viable biosorbents for toxic metal removal

摘要

The ability of several biologically generated materials to bind representative heavy metals has been investigated. These materials included freeze dried tissues from the roots, stems, and leaves of young and mature tumble weeds (Salsola sp.), the stems and roots of cattails (Typha latifolia), a green alga (Chlorella vulgaris), sphagnum peat, organic peat, pecan shells, and fragments of cultured cells from Datura innoxia. Metal ions representative of hard (Al(III)), intermediate (Cu(II)), and soft (Au(III)) Lewis acids were monitored for their binding to each of these materials to hard, intermediate, and soft Lewis base ligands, respectively. Each of these materials was immobilized in a polysilicate matrix. Superior binding (>90 of a 0.1 mM contact solution) of the three metals was observed by the immobilized C. vulgaris, D. innoxia, sphagnum peat, and organic peat at solution pH conditions of 5-6. References: 34