Biosorption of Cd(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) onto Microalgae under Acidic and Neutral Conditions

The biosorption of Cd, Co, and Cu onto three microalgae species (Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus sp., and Spirulina platensis) was compared to determine the microalgae’s capability for heavy metal adsorption in acidic and neutral environments. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models were used to characterize the adsorption of the heavy metals onto microalgae. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) determined using the Langmuir and D-R model showed results in the order of Cu > Co > Cd in both acidic and neutral conditions. A shift from acidic to neutral conditions increased the microalgae’s adsorption affinity for heavy metals, as determined using the Freundlich parameter (KF). The adsorption affinity of the biomass for Cd and Co was in the order S. platensis > C. vulgaris > Scenedesmus sp. while that of Cu was in the order C. vulgaris > Scenedesmus sp. > S. platensis. In addition, it was found that the adsorption of Cd and Co enhanced the production of Dissolved Organic Content (DOC) as a byproduct of biosorption, whereas the adsorption of Cu appeared to suppress the generation of DOC. The mean adsorption energy (E) values computed by the D-R model were less than 8 (kJ/mol), indicating that physisorption was the primary force of sorption in both acidic and neutral settings. The findings of this study suggest that microalgae may be used as a low-cost adsorbent for metal removal from industrial effluent.