Biosorption characteristics of unicellular green alga Chlorella sorokiniana immobilized in loofa sponge for removal of Cr（Ⅲ）

Loofa sponge （LS） immobilized biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana （LSIBCS）, isolated from industrial wastewater, was investigated as a new biosorbent for the removal of Cr（Ⅲ） from aqueous solution. A comparison of the biosorption of Cr（Ⅲ） by LSIBCS and free biomass of C. sorokiniana （FBCS） from 10-300 mg Cr（Ⅲ）/L aqueous solutions showed an increase in uptake of 17.79% when the microalgal biomass was immobilized onto loofa sponge. Maximum biosorption capacity for LSIBCS and FBCS was found to be 69.26 and 58.80 mg Cr（Ⅲ）/g biosorbent, respectively, whereas the amount of Cr（Ⅲ） ions adsorbed onto naked LS was 4.97 mg/g. The kinetics of Cr（Ⅲ） biosorption was extremely rapid and equilibrium was established in about 15 and 20 min by LSIBCS and FBCS, respectively. The biosorption equilibrium was well defined by Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The biosorption was found to be pH dependent and the maximum sorption occurred at the solution pH 4.0. Desorption studies showed that 98% of the adsorbed Cr（Ⅲ） could be desorbed with 0.1 mol/L HNO3, while other desorbing agents were less effective in the order： EDTA 〉 H2SO4 〉 CH3COOH 〉 HCl. The regenerated LSIBCS retained 92.68% of the initial Cr（Ⅲ） binding capacity up to five cycles of reuse in continuous flow-fixed bed columns. The study revealed that LSIBCS could be used as an effective biosorbent for the removal of Cr（Ⅲ） from wastewater.     

Immobilization study of biosorption of heavy metal ions onto activated sludge

Activated sludge was immobilized into Ca-alginate beads via entrapment, and biosorption of three heavy metal ions, copper(Ⅱ), zinc(Ⅱ), and chromimum(Ⅱ), from aqueous solution in the concentration range of 10-100 mg/L was studied by using both entrapped activated sludge and inactivated free biomass at pH≤5. A biphasic metal adsorption pattern was observed in all immobilized biomass experiments. The biosorption of metal ions by the biosorbents increased with the initial concentration increased in the medium. The adsorption rate of immobilized pre-treated activated sludge(PAS) was much lower than that of free PAS due to the increase in mass transfer resistance resulting from the polymeric matrix. Biosorption equilibrium of beads was established in about 20 h and the adsorbed heavy metal ions did not change further with time. No significant effect of temperature was observed in the test for free biomass while immobilized PAS appeared to be strong temperature dependent in the test range of 10 and 40℃.Besides, the content of activated sludge in the calcium alginate bead has an influence on the uptake of heavy metals. The sorption equilibrium was well modeled by Langmuir isotherm, implying monomolecular adsorption mechanism. Carboxyl group in cell wall played an important role in surface adsorption of heavy metal ions on PAS.     

Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass: A potential biosorbent for chromium ions removal

The Cr(III) sorption experiments onto Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass were conducted at different pH values (2–6) under the conditions of initial metal concentration of 10–50 mg/L and the chemical compositions of Cr-Cu and Cr-Cd. The Cr(III) sorption capacities were slightly dependent on pH, and the maximum sorption capacity was 0.86 mg/g at pH 3. The sorption capacities increased with increase in the initial metal concentration, whereas it was suppressed by the presence of Cu(II) and Cd(III) in the solution. The Cr(III) sorption equilibrium was evaluated using Langmuir, Freundlich and BET isotherms. The sorption mechanisms were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The main mechanisms were ion exchange coupled with a complexation mechanism. Kappaphycus alvarezii waste biomass represents a potential for Cr(III) ion removal from aqueous solution.     

Equilibrium and kinetics of copper(Ⅱ) biosorption by Myriophyllum spicatum L.

The potential use of Myriophyllum spicatum L. biomass as a biosorbent for the removal of copper（ Ⅱ ） from aqueous solution was investigated in laboratory condition. The sorption experiments were undertaken to obtain copper（ Ⅱ ） biosorption properties of M. spicatum L., i.e. equilibrium time, the maximum capacity, and rate constants. Copper（ Ⅱ ） biosorption was fast and equilibrium was attained within 35 min at initial copper（ Ⅱ ） concentration of 6 mg/L. Different isotherm models including the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Redlich-Peterson model, were used to investigate the sorption capacity and isotherm. These models showed an excellent match with the experimental data except for the Freundlich model. According to the Langmuir coefficients, the maximum sorption capacity of copper onto M. spicatum L. was 10.80 mg/g. The kinetics of copper（ Ⅱ ） sorption was also analysed and rate constants were derived. It was found that the overall sorption process was best described by the pseudo second-order equation, and that intraparticle diffusion was not the rate determining step. The results of this study showed that M. spicatum L. can be considered as useful vehicles for the removal and recovery of copper（ Ⅱ ） from aqueous solutions.     

Copper biosorption on immobilized seaweed biomass： Column breakthrough characteristics

The biosorption of copper by the brown seaweed Sargassum baccularia,immobilized onto polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)gel beads, was investigated with fixed-bed experiments.Laboratory-scale column tests were performed to determine breakthrough curves with varying flow rates and feed concentrations.A theoretical fixed-bed model,known as the Bohart-Adams equation,was evaluated in simulating the experimental breakthrough curves.The Bohart-Adams model qualitatively predicted the breakthrough trends.PVA- immobilized seaweed biomass beads were amenable to efficient regeneration with aqueous solution containing the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid(EDTA).The biosorbent retained most of its original uptake capacity over three cycles of use.The excellent reusability of the biosorbent could lead to the development of a viable metal remediation technology.     

Biosorption and retention of orthophosphate onto Ca(OH)2-pretreated biomass of Phragmites sp.

The biosorption of phosphorus in the form of orthophosphate(Po) from wastewater using biomass as the sorbent is of potential importance because the Po-loaded biomass could be applied in the agricultural sector as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, biomass generally displays a very low affinity for Posorption and therefore biomass surface modification is required. In the present study, the biomass(as model grinded leaves of Phragmites sp. were used)was pretreated with Ca(OH)2to enhance Pobiosorption capacity(qe). The results indicate that the alkaline pretreatment resulted in a modification of surface functional groups. It was concluded that the main sorption mechanisms were ligand exchange and electrostatic attraction. A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the performance of the pretreated biomass for Pouptake under various conditions. Isotherm and thermodynamic studies were also applied and analyzed. The biosorption process was best described by the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm, which gave a qmaxof 12.27 mg P/g at 25°C and p H 7. The Ca(OH)2treated Phragmites biomass applied in this study for Porecovery may present some potential advantages in terms of costs and environmental impact.     

New insight into adsorption characteristics and mechanisms of the biosorbent from waste activated sludge for heavy metals

The adsorption characteristics and mechanisms of the biosorbent from waste activated sludge were investigated by adsorbing Pb2+and Zn2+in aqueous single-metal solutions. A p H value of the metal solutions at 6.0 was beneficial to the high adsorption quantity of the biosorbent. The optimal mass ratio of the biosorbent to metal ions was found to be 2. A higher adsorption quantity of the biosorbent was achieved by keeping the reaction temperature below 55°C. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the biosorption processes, and the developed mathematical equations showed high determination coefficients(above 0.99 for both metal ions) and insignificant lack of fit(p = 0.0838 and 0.0782 for Pb2+and Zn2+, respectively). Atomic force microscopy analyses suggested that the metal elements were adsorbed onto the biosorbent surface via electrostatic interaction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated the presence of complexation(between –NH2,-CN and metal ions) and ion-exchange(between –COOH and metal ions). The adsorption mechanisms could be the combined action of electrostatic interaction, complexation and ion-exchange between functional groups and metal ions.     

Adsorption of Co(Ⅱ) from aqueous solutions by water treatment residuals

A study on the removal of Co(Ⅱ) from aqueous solutions by water treatment residuals(WTR)was conducted in batch conditions. The sorption process of Co(Ⅱ) followed pseudosecondorder kinetics, with 30 hr required to reach equilibrium. Using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, a relatively high maximum sorption capacity of 17.31 mg/g Co(Ⅱ) was determined. The adsorption of Co(Ⅱ) was dependent on pH values and was affected by the ionic strength. Results show that Co(Ⅱ) adsorption was a spontaneous endothermic process and was favorable at high temperature. Most of the adsorbed Co(Ⅱ) stayed on the WTR permanently, whereas only small amounts of adsorbed Co(Ⅱ) were desorbed. The shifting of peaks in FT-IR spectra indicated that Co(Ⅱ) interacted with the WTR surface through strong covalent bond formation with Fe(Al)–O functional groups. It was concluded that WTR can be a suitable material from which to develop an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Co(Ⅱ) from wastewater.     

A novel biosorbent: characterization of the spent mushroom compost and its application for removal of heavy metals

The spent mushroom compost of Lentinus edodes was used as a biosorbent for adsorbing cadmium, lead and chromium from solutions under batch conditions for the first time. Titration of the biomass revealed that it contained at least three types of functional groups. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometry showed that the carboxyl, phosphoryl, phenolic groups were the main groups. The simulated values of pK, and molar quantity were 5.00 and 0.44 mmol/g, 7.32 and 1.38 mmol/g, 10.45 and 1.44 mmol/g, respectively. The biosorption ability increased with pH in acid condition. When 10 mg/L biomass dosage was added in, there was no significant increment of metal uptake. The maximum uptake estimated with the Langmiur isotherm model were 833.33 mg/g for Cd（ Ⅱ ）, 1000.00 mg/g for Pb（ Ⅱ ） and 44.44 mg/g for Cr（ Ⅲ ）, respectively. All the results showed that vast potential sorption capacity was existed in the biomass for adsorbing these three kinds of metals studied.     

Biosorption of Cu^2＋ and Zn^2＋ by raw and autoclaved Rocella phycopsis

The behavior of Cu2+ and Zn2+ biosorption onto raw and modified Roccella phycopsis from aqueous solutions was studied. Modification process was applied by autoclavation at 121°C for 30 min. The effcts of pH, initial metal concentration and biosorbent dosage were investigated. The maximum Cu2+ biosorption was achieved at pH 5.0 and the maximum biosorption capacities of 31.5 and 37.8 mg/g were recorded for raw and modified biosorbent, respectively. In the case of Zn2+ biosorption, maximum biosorption capacities were obtained at pH 4.0 as 29.1 and 35.3 mg/g for raw and modified biosorbent, respectively. Biosorption of Zn2+ and Cu2+ on all form of R. phycopsis increased much quickly with increasing initial metal concentrations from 10 to 100 mg/L. After modification process, probable changes in the surface polarity of raw and modified R. phycopsis were investigated by contact angle measurements. As expected, R. phycopsis has a polar surface and shows a highest contact angle with water, while after autoclavation water contact angle of R. phycopsis was significantly decreased from 47.5° to 34.4°.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of Lagerstroemia speciosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle for Cr(Ⅵ)adsorption from aqueous solution

Lagerstroemia speciosa bark(LB) embedded magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe~(2+) and Fe~(3+) salt solution with ammonia and LB for Cr(Ⅵ) removal from aqueous solution.The native LB,magnetic nanoparticle(MNP),L.spedosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle(MNPLB) and Cr(Ⅵ) adsorbed MNPLB particles were characterized by SEM-EDX,TEM,BET-surface area,FT-IR,XRD and TGA methods.TEM analysis confirmed nearly spherical shape of MNP with an average diameter of 8.76 nm and the surface modification did not result in the phase change of MNP as established by XRD analysis,while led to the formation of secondary particles of MNPLB with diameter of 18.54 nm.Characterization results revealed covalent binding between the hydroxyl group of MNP and carboxyl group of LB particles and further confirmed its physico-chemical nature favorable for Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption.The Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption on to MNPLB particle as an adsorbent was tested under different contact time,initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration,adsorbent dose,initial pH,temperature and agitation speed.The results of the equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption were well described by Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order model,respectively.The thermodynamic parameters suggest spontaneous and endothermic nature of Cr(Ⅵ)adsorption onto MNPLB.The maximum adsorption capacity for MNPLB was calculated to be 434.78 mg/g and these particles even after Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption were collected effortlessly from the aqueous solution by a magnet.The desorption of Cr(Ⅵ)-adsorbed MNPLB was found to be more than 93.72%with spent MNPLB depicting eleven successive adsorption-desorption cycles.     

Mechanism of Cd（II） adsorption by macrofungus Pleurotus platypus

The mechanism of Cd(II) uptake by the dead biomass of macrofungus Pleurotus platypus was investigated using di erent chemical and instrumental techniques. Sequential removal of cell wall components of the biosorbent revealed that structural polysaccharides play a predominant role in the biosorption of Cd(II). The adsorption kinetics fitted well with the pseudo second-order model suggested that the adsorption of Cd(II) on P. platypus involved a chemisorption process. Transmission electron microscopy of the cadmium exposed biomass confirmed the deposition of the metal mainly in the cell wall. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of the metal loaded biosorbent confirmed the participation of –OH, –NH and C–O–C groups in the uptake of Cd(II). Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the biosorbent before and after metal uptake revealed that the main mechanism of adsorption was ion-exchange. The e ectiveness of CaCl2 in the desorption of cadmium perhaps suggested the exchange of Ca2+ with Cd(II).     

Biosorption of copper ions from dilute aqueous solutions on base treated rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaves powder: kinetics, isotherm, and biosorption mechanisms

The effciency of sodium hydroxide treated rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaves powder (NHBL) for removing copper ions from aqueous solutions has been investigated. The e?ects of physicochemical parameters on biosorption capacities such as stirring speed, pH, biosorbent dose, initial concentrations of copper, and ionic strength were studied. The biosorption capacities of NHBL increased with increase in pH, stirring speed and copper concentration but decreased with increase in biosorbent dose and ionic strength...     

Effect of biosurfactant on the sorption of phenanthrene onto original and H2O2-treated soils

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of biosurfactant on the sorption of phenanthrene (PHE) onto the original or H2O2-treated black loamy soil (typic isohumisols) and red sandy soil (typic ferralisols). The sorption isotherms were performed with the original and “soft” carbon-removed soils in the presence and absence of biosurfactant (200 mg/L). The sorption and degradation of biosurfactant were investigated. The result showed that organic matter played an important role in PHE sorption onto the black loamy and red sandy soils, and the PHE sorption isotherms on the “soft” carbon-removed soils exhibited more nonlinearity than those on the original soils. The values of partition coe cient (Kd) on the original black loamy soil with or without 200 mg/L biosurfactant were 181.6 and 494.5 mL/g, respectively. Correspondingly, in the red sandy soil, Kd was 246.4 and 212.8 mL/g in the presence or absence of biosurfactant, respectively. The changes of Kd suggested that biosurfactant inhibited PHE sorption onto the black loamy soil, but facilitated PHE sorption onto the red sandy soil. The nonlinearity of PHE sorption isotherm was decreased in the presence of biosurfactant. Site specific sorption might occur during PHE sorption onto both the original and the “soft” carbon-removed soils in the presence of biosurfactant. It was noted that biosurfactant could also be sorbed onto soils. The maximal sorption capacity of the red sandy soil for biosurfactant was (76.9 0.007) g/g, which was 1.31 times that of black loamy soil. Biosurfactant was degraded quickly in the two selected soils, and 92% of biosurfactant were mineralized throughout the incubation experiment for 7 d. It implied that biosurfactant should be added frequently when the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated soils was conducted through PAH desorption approach facilitated by biosurfactant.     

Adsorption of Cr(Ⅲ) from acidic solutions by crop straw derived biochars

Cr（Ⅲ） adsorption by biochars generated from peanut, soybean, canola and rice straws is investigated with batch methods. Adsorption of Cr（Ⅲ） increased as pH rose from 2.5 to 5.0. Adsorption of Cr（Ⅲ） led to peak position shifts in the FFIR-PAS spectra of the biochars and made zeta potential values less negative, suggesting the formation of surface complexes between Cr^3＋ and functional groups on the biochars. The adsorption capacity of Cr（Ⅲ） followed the order： peanut straw char 〉 soybean straw char 〉 canola straw char 〉 rice straw char, which was consistent with the content of acidic functional groups on the biochars. The increase in Cr^3＋ hydrolysis as the pH rose was one of the main reasons for the increased adsorption of Cr（Ⅲ） by the biochars at higher pH values. Cr（llI） can be adsorbed by the biochars through electrostatic attraction between negative surfaces and Cr^3＋, but the relative contribution of electrostatic adsorption was less than 5%. Therefore, Cr（Ⅲ） was mainly adsorbed by the biochars through specific adsorption. The Langumir and Freundlich equations fitted the adsorption isotherms well and can therefore be used to describe the adsorption behavior of Cr（Ⅲ） by the crop straw biochars. The crop straw biochars have great adsorption capacities for Cr（Ⅲ） under acidic conditions and can be used as adsorbents to remove Cr（Ⅲ） from acidic wastewaters.     

Organic pollutants removal from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene （TNT） red water using low cost activated coke

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) red water from Chinese explosive industry was adsorbed by activated coke (AC) from lignite. Since the composition of TNT red water was very complicated, chemical oxygen demand (COD) was used as the index for evaluating the treatment efficiency. This study focused on the sorption kinetics and equilibrium sorption isotherms of AC for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from TNT red water, and the changes of water quality before and after adsorption were evaluated by using high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), UV-vis spectra and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS). The results showed that the sorption kinetics of adsorbing COD from TNT red water onto AC was fitted well with the pseudo-second order model. The adsorption process was an exothermic and physical process. The sorption isotherm was in good agreement with Redlich–Peterson isotherm. At the conditions of initial pH, 20℃ and 3 hr of agitation, when the AC dosage was 160 g L-1, 64.8% of COD could be removed. The removal efficiencies of 2,4-dinitrotoluene-3-sulfonate (2,4-DNT-3-SO3-) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene-5-sulfonate (2,4-DNT-5-SO3-) were 80.5% and 84.3%, respectively. After adsorption, the acute toxicity of TNT red water reduced 81.8%, compared with that of unprocessed TNT red water.     

Removal of perfluorinated surfactants from wastewater by adsorption and ion exchange——Influence of material properties,sorption mechanism and modeling

Perfluorooctane sulfonate(PFOS) has attracted increasing concern in recent years due to its world-wide distribution, persistence, bioaccumulation and potential toxicity. The influence of sorbent properties on the adsorptive elimination of PFOS from wastewater by activated carbons, polymer adsorbents and anion exchange resins was investigated with regard to their isotherms and kinetics. The batch and column tests were combined with physicochemical characterization methods, e.g., N_2 physisorption, mercury porosimetry, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, titrations, as well as modeling. Sorption kinetics was successfully modelled applying the linear driving force(LDF) approach for surface diffusion after introducing a load dependency of the mass transfer coefficient βs.The big difference in the initial mass transfer coefficient βs,0, when non-functionalized adsorbents and ion-exchange resins are compared, suggests that the presence of functional groups impedes the intraparticle mass transport. The more functional groups a resin possesses and the longer the alkyl moieties are the bigger is the decrease in sorption rate.But the selectivity for PFOS sorption is increasing when the character of the functional groups becomes more hydrophobic. Accordingly, ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction were found to be involved in the sorption processes on resins, while PFOS is only physisorptively bound to activated carbons and polymer adsorbents. In agreement with the different adsorption mechanisms, resins possess higher total sorption capacities than adsorbents. Hence, the latter ones are rendered more effective in PFOS elimination at concentrations in the low μg/L range, due to a less pronounced convex curvature of the sorption isotherm in this concentration range.     

Comparative equilibrium studies of sorption of Pb(Ⅱ) ions by sodium and calcium alginate

The absorption of Pb(Ⅱ) ions from aqueous solution by different alginate compounds was studied in a batch sorption system.Water soluble sodium alginate and insoluble calcium alginate beads were investigated.The lead-binding capacity of both alginate compounds was highest within the pH range 6-8.The binding capacities and rates of Pb(lI) ions by alginate compounds were evaluated.The Langmuir,Freundlich,and Bruneaur,Emmet and Teller (BET) sorption models were applied to describe the isotherms and isotherm ...     

Investigation of adsorption/desorption behavior of Cr(Ⅵ) at the presence of inorganic and organic substance in membrane capacitive deionization(MCDI)

The adsorption and desorption behavior of Cr(Ⅵ) in membrane capacitive deionization(MCDI) was investigated systematically in the presence of bovine serum albumin(BSA) and KCl with different concentrations, respectively. Results revealed that Cr(Ⅵ) absorption was enhanced and the adsorption amount for Cr(Ⅵ) increased from 155.7 to 190.8 mg/g when KCl concentration increased from 100 to 200 mg/L in the adsorption process, which was attributed to the stronger driving force. However, the adsorption amount sharply decreased to 90.2 mg/g when KCl concentration reached up to 1000 mg/L suggesting the negative effect for Cr(Ⅵ) removal that high KCl concentration had. As for the effect of BSA on ion adsorption, the amount for Cr(Ⅵ) significantly declined to 78.3 mg/g and p H was found to be an important factor contributing to this significant reduction. Then, the desorption performance was also conducted and it was obtained that the presence of KCl had negligible effect on Cr(Ⅵ) desorption, while promoted by the addition of BSA. The incomplete desorption was obtained and the residual chromium ions onto the electrode after desorption was detected via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). Based on above analysis, the enhanced removal mechanism for Cr(Ⅵ) in MCDI was found to be consisted of ion adsorption onto electrode surface, the redox reaction of Cr(Ⅵ) into Cr(III)and precipitation, which was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and scanning electron microscope(SEM).