Utilization on the Removal Cd(II) and Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Nonliving Rivularia bulata Algae

In present study, biosorption and elimination of cadmium(II) and lead(II) ions from aqueous solution was evaluated using the algae nonliving biomass (Rivularia bulata) as easy availability, natural origin and biological sorbents. The effect of contact time and metal concentration on the adsorption capacity of metal ions was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacities for Cd(II) and Pb(II) were found to be 26.36 and 34.30mg/g at the optimum conditions, respectively. The experimental data exhibit a good compliance with the pseudo second-order equation for Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. Langmuir and Freundlich models were also applied to experimental equilibrium data to find the best adsorption isotherm and the values of R-L for Cd(II) and Pb(II) were found to be 0.735 and 0.926, respectively. Weber-Morris and Urano-Tachikawa diffusion models were also applied to experimental equilibrium data. The results are showed that the algae biomass was effectively used as a sorbent for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions.