title: Comparative study of biosorption of heavy metals using different types of algae.
abstract: Sorption capacity of six different algae (green, red and brown) was evaluated in the recovery of cadmium, nickel, zinc, copper and lead from aqueous solutions. The optimum sorption conditions were studied for each monometallic system. The optimum pH was 6 for the recovery of Cd, Ni and Zn, and less than 5 for Cu and Pb. The best results were obtained with the lowest biomass concentration used (0.5 g/L). Experimental data fitted a Langmuir model very well according to the following sequence of the sorption values: Pb>Cd> or =Cu>Zn>Ni. The brown algae achieved the lowest metal concentration levels in solution; the best results were obtained with Fucus spiralis. Finally, a software computer program was used to simulate the process by comparison of theoretical with experimental results and show minimum differences between both types of data.
authors.affiliation: Dpto Ciencia de los Materiales e Ingeniería Metalúrgica, Facultad de C Químicas, Universidad Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romera
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballester
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Blázquez
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Muñoz
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical