Cu(II) binding by E-radiata biomaterial

Experimental studies showed that a common brown marine algae (Ecklonia radiata) can be used for the development of an efficient biosorbent material for Cu2+ removal from waste water. At pH 5.0, the uptake capacity of E.radiata for copper is 1.11 mmol g(-1). The adsorption of copper increases as pH increases and reaches a plateau at pH 5 The copper uptake process was rapid, with 90% of the adsorption completed within 15 minutes. Presence of Light metal ions in solution did not affect copper adsorption significantly. The presence of 5 mM of EDTA in solution completely inhibited the metal uptake while the effect of acetate, nitrate and chloride on metal uptake was marginal even at 20 mM concentrations of these ions. The dominant mechanism of copper biosorption is ion exchange involving Ca2+ and Mg2+ counter ions present in the algal cells. The feasibility of removing copper using the biosorbent in a packed bed system was also examined.