title: Statistical analysis and isotherm study of uranium biosorption by Padina sp. algae biomass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The application of response surface methodology is presented for optimizing the removal of U ions from aqueous solutions using Padina sp., a brown marine algal biomass.
  
  
  METHODS
  Box-Wilson central composite design was employed to assess individual and interactive effects of the four main parameters (pH and initial uranium concentration in solutions, contact time and temperature) on uranium uptake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Response surface analysis showed that the data were adequately fitted to second-order polynomial model. Analysis of variance showed a high coefficient of determination value (R (2)=0.9746) and satisfactory second-order regression model was derived.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimum pH and initial uranium concentration in solutions, contact time and temperature were found to be 4.07, 778.48 mg/l, 74.31 min, and 37.47°C, respectively. Maximized uranium uptake was predicted and experimentally validated. The equilibrium data for biosorption of U onto the Padina sp. were well represented by the Langmuir isotherm, giving maximum monolayer adsorption capacity as high as 376.73 mg/g.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, P.O. Box 14395, 836, Tehran, Iran. mhkhani@aeoi.org.ir
authors.forename: Mohammad Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khani
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D018533:Biomass; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014501:Uranium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium