Adsorption of inorganic mercury from aqueous solutions onto dry biomass of Chlorella vulgaris: kinetic and isotherm study. Issue 5 (23rd February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solisio, Carlo; Al Arni, Saleh; Converti, Attilio
• Is Part Of: Environmental technology. Volume 40:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 664
• Page End: 672
• Publication Date: 2019-02-23
• Subjects: Mercury biosorption -- Chlorella vulgaris; kinetics -- equilibrium -- FT-IR; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; 628.05
• DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2017.1400114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3330

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study focused on kinetics and equilibrium isotherms of mercury biosorption from water using dry biomass of Chlorella vulgaris as biosorbent at pH 5.0. Biosorption tests were performed at 2.0 g/L biomass dosage varying initial Hg concentration from 11.0 to 90.6 mg/L. The Lagergren equation was found to best describe the process, with R 2 of 0.984 and specific rate constant of 0.029 ± 0.004 min −1 . Although equilibrium data were well fitted by the Dubinin and Radushkevich isotherm ( R 2 = 0.870; q DR = 16.6 mg/g), important insights on phenomenological events occurring at equilibrium were concurrently provided by the Lamgmuir one ( R 2 = 0.826; q 0 = 32.6 mg/g; K L = 0.059 L/mg). FT-IR analysis confirmed that Hg biosorption took place via physisorption. Since C. vulgaris is a fresh-water microalga that can be easily cultivated anywhere, these promising results suggest its possible use as an effective, low-cost biosorbent to treat industrial effluents contaminated by this metal. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: