title: Biosorption of Hg from aqueous solutions by crab carapace.
abstract: Carapace from the edible crab was assessed for the biosorption of Hg from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption studies were used to determine the effects of contact time, pH, concentration, particle size and Cu(II) as a co-ion. The removal of Hg was fast and efficient, attaining >80.0% from 500 mg/L by 60 min. Specific uptake increased from 0.1 to 13.0mg/g as initial concentration increased from 0.5 to 1000 mg/L while the removal efficiency decreased from 100.0% over the 0.5-10.0mg/L range to 65.0% at 1000 mg/L. As particle size decreases from >2.5 to <0.15 mm, the Hg uptake increased from 1.4 to 8.3mg/g. In binary metal solutions, Cu(II) reduced the Hg removal by 80.0% while the presence of Hg increased Cu(II) removal by approximately 7.0%. Crab carapace is a readily available alkaline waste and easily processed into durable granular forms. Therefore, it offers potential as a low-cost alternative to commercial adsorbents or as a complimentary polishing process for the removal of Hg from acidic solutions.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, UHI Millennium Institute, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, UK. Ian.Rae@thurso.uhi.ac.uk
authors.forename: Ian B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Rae
authors.forename: Stuart W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Gibb
authors.forename: Shuguang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000737:chemistry; D003300:Copper; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control; D008628:Mercury / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018508:Water Purification
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D008903:Minerals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury