A COMPARATIVE-STUDY FOR BIOSORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVY-METAL IONS WITH C-VULGARIS

The kinetics of biosorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Fe(II), Cr(VI), and Pb(II) ions existing in waste water to Chlorella vulgaris, a green alga was investigated in a stirred batch reactor. In adsorption studies of afore said metal ions, optimum adsorption temperatures and initial pH values for each ion were determined as 25°C, 55°C. 25–35°C, 35–50°C. 55°C. and pH 4.0–4.5. 4.0–4.5, 1.0–2.0, 1.5–2.0, 5.0, respectively. Initial metal ion concentrations of 200 ppm gave the highest adsorption rates for most of the metal ions. Corresponding Freundlich adsorption constants and adsorption degrees were found from Freundlich adsorption isotherms which were constituted at 25°C. © 1990 Publications Division Selper Ltd.