Biosorption of zinc from aqueous solution using algae and plant biomass

Abstract

In the present study, the sorption capacity of plant biomass has been studied; particularly the ability of biomass algae Chlorella vulgaris, filamentous green algae Spirogyra sp. and roots, stems and leaves of an invasive plant Reynoutria japonica to bind up Zn2+ ions. The results of this biosorption study revealed that the rate and extent of uptake were affected by pH level, contact time and initial metal concentration. The maximum uptake of metal ions was obtained at pH 6.0. The equilibrium sorption data for metal system at pH 6 were described by the Langmuir isotherms model. For Zn2+, sorption capacity qmax of 17 mg/g was achieved using biomass from leaves. Removal of Zn2+ with 1g of biosorbent from leaves was almost 77% when present in low concentrations, whereas it is lower at higher concentrations.