Copper removal by dry and re-hydrated biomass of Spirulina platensis.
Dried and re-hydrated biomass of Spirulina platensis was employed as a sorbent in tests of copper removal from water. Biomass re-hydrated for 24 h before use exhibited a shorter adsorption time as well as an increased percentage removal when compared with simply dried biomass. The combined effects of the concentrations of re-hydrated biomass (from 1.0 to 4.0 g l-1) and copper (from 0.1 to 0.4 g l-1) were then investigated. Copper was almost entirely removed (91% removal) at relatively high biomass levels (X0>or=2.0 gDM l-1), while 1.0 gDM l-1 removed only 81% of copper present initially, suggesting a situation of excess metal with respect to the adsorption capacity of biomass. Additional tests performed with biomass re-hydrated for variable time demonstrated that no less than 48 h of this treatment are needed to ensure a satisfactory copper removal, while no significant improvement was detected using biomass re-hydrated for longer times.
Solisio
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Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, G.B. Bonino, Genoa University, Via Opera Pia 15, I-16145 Genoa, Italy.
Lodi
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Torre
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Converti
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Del Borghi
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D000327:Adsorption; D018533:Biomass; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D014873:Water Pollutants; D003300:Copper