Kinetic and Isotherm Studies of Cu(II) Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Gigartina Acicularis Biomass

Abstract

The biosorption characteristics of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution using the red alga (Gigartina acicularis) biomass were investigated as a function of pH, biomass dosage, contact time and metal concentrations at room temperature (20?23°C). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to describe the equilibrium data and the isotherm constants were determined. The experimental adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity was 14.77 mg/g. Experimental data were also tested in terms of biosorption kinetics using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The results showed that the biosorption processes of both metal ions followed well pseudo-second-order kinetic. The sorption mechanisms were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Energy dispersive X-ray emission (EDX). The Gigartina acicularis biomass investigated in this study exhibited a high potential for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution.

Keywords: Gigartina acicularis; Cooper; Biosorption; Isotherm studies; Kinetics