Biosorption of copper and zinc by Cymodocea nodosa

FEMS Microbiol Rev. 1999 Oct;23(5):527-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.1999.tb00411.x.

Abstract

The adsorption of the two metal ions Cu and Zn in a single-component system by Cymodocea nodosa, a brown alga, under different pH conditions was investigated. The solution pH significantly affected the exhibited uptake, being maximum at a pH value of 4.5. Multi-component mixture biosorption in aqueous solutions is also reported. A comparison was made between the single-component saturation uptake and the multi-component uptakes. To evaluate the two-metal sorption system performance, simple isotherm curves had to be replaced by three-dimensional sorption isotherm surfaces. In order to describe the isotherm surfaces mathematically, three Langmuir-type models were evaluated. The isotherms indicate a competitive uptake with Cu being preferentially adsorbed. In addition, different tests were carried out to compare the process efficiency working continuously in small columns.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Copper / pharmacokinetics*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Models, Biological*
  • Phaeophyceae / metabolism*
  • Sewage / microbiology
  • Time Factors
  • Zinc / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Sewage
  • Copper
  • Zinc