Selective biosorption of heavy metals by algae*

Thirty strains of algae were examined for their biosorption abilities for the uptake of cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc from aqueous solutions. A wide range of adsorption capacities was observed between the different strains of algae and between the four metals. The cyanophyceae Lyngbya taylorii exhibited high uptake capacities for the four metals. It was confirmed by using instrumental analysis including EDX that the resulting capsules of the immobilization process are pervious to the lead. In simultaneous sorption processes of the four metals lead, cadmium, zinc and nickel, the following order of selective sorption was observed: Pb >> Ni > Cd > Zn. In contrast to a commercial ion-exchange material, the alkaline metal ions Na, Ca, K, and Mg showed only a small competitive effect on the adsorption abilities of the immobilized L. taylorii. Selective biosorption of heavy metals by algae* A. Wilke, R. Buchholz, G. Bunke Hochschule Offenburg, University of Applied Sciences, Badstraße 24, D-77652 Offenburg, Germany Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Paul-Gordan-Str. 3, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany Technical University Berlin, Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Ackerstraße 71-76, D-13355 Berlin, Germany Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]; phone: +49 781 205 118; fax: +49 781 205 111