Biosorption Performance of Two Brown Marine Algae for Removal of Chromium and Cadmium

Abstract

The brown marine algae Sargassum sp. and Padina sp., harvested locally, are used for the removal of cations (Cd²⁺ and Cr³⁺) and anion (Cr₂O₇ ²⁻) from dilute aqueous solutions. It is found that the biosorption capacities are significantly affected by solution pH. Higher pH favors higher cation removal, whereas higher uptake of anion is observed as the pH is decreased, with the optimal uptake at pH 2. It is demonstrated that the removal rate of the cations is much faster than that of the anion. For cations, 90% of the total adsorption occurs within 60 min, but it takes 360 min for the Cr₂O₇ ²⁻ to reach 90% of the maximum uptake. A series of isotherm experiments are carried out at the optimal pH of 5.5 for Cd²⁺, 3.8 for Cr³⁺, and 2.0 for Cr₂O₇ ²⁻. The results are well represented by Freundlich and Langmuir equations. Finally, it is observed that reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and biosorption of these two species occur simultaneously during the process.

Keywords:

• Biosorption
• Chromium
• Marine algae
• Reduction

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by research grants provided by the National University of Singapore (R‐279‐000‐123‐112 and R‐279‐000‐104‐112).