Research Article
Sibi G
Abstract
Biosorption of arsenic (III) and (V) from aqueous solutions by living and dried biomass of fresh water microalgae was investigated. A total of five microalgae namely Chlorella, Oscillatioria, Scenedesmus, Spirogyra and Pandorina were identified as arsenic tolerant and used for further studies. Varying conditions of pH, temperature, biomass and contact time were studied for As (III) and As (V) adsorption properties of living and dried biomass of microalgae. Significant biosorption of arsenic was found at pH 4, 32°C and 0.8 g/l levels. Both living and dried biomass were further studied for As (III) and (V) removal from the aqueous solutions containing 30 mg/l under the same experimental conditions. Removal rate of As (III) was higher than the As (V) by the microalgae under the experimental conditions and dried biomass showed higher biosorption rate and faster kinetic than the living ones.