Biosorption of Lead (II) and Copper (II) Metal Ions on Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kütz. (Chlorophyta) Algae: Effect of Algal Surface Modification

Emine Yalçın^a*, Kültiğin Çavuşoğlu^b, Meltem Maraş^c, and Mutluhan Bıyıkoğlu^d

a Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, K ır ıkkale University, 71450 Yahşihan, Kırıkkale-Turkey
bDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science and Art, Giresun University, 28100 Depboy, Giresun-Turkey
c Department of OFMA, Faculty of Education, Karaelmas University, 67300 Kdz-Ereğli-Turkey
d Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Art, Kırıkkale University, 71450 Yahşihan, Kırıkkale-Turkey
* Corresponding author: eyalcin@kku.edu.tr

Abstract
Heavy metals are present in some industrial effluents, being responsible for environmental pollution. Biosorption of heavy metals can be an effective method for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewaters. In this study Pb(II) and Cu(II) biosorption by Cladophora glomerata algae was investigated in batch system from a binary mixture. The effects of some important parameters such as pH, initial concentration of heavy metals and modification of algae surface by heat/acid treatment on biosorption capacity was studied. The maximum biosorption capacity of Cladophora glomerata was 15.0mg/g at pH 5.0 for Cu(II) and 22.5 mg/g at pH 4.0 for Pb(II) metal ions. The biosorption capacity of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions on the acid/heat-treated biomass was increased as 1.38 and 1.45 times than untreated form, respectively. The biosorption of Pb (II) and Cu (II) heavy metal ions on Cladophora glomerata appears to be an efficient and low cost alternative to be considered in industrial wastewater treatment.

Keywords: Biosorption, Cladophora glomerata, heavy metal pollution, modification