Interference of Co-ions in Biosorption of Cu 2+ by Biosorbent from Marine Alga Durvillaea potatorum

Abstract

Biosorption of heavy metals can be an effective process for the treatment of industrial wastewater that contains heavy metals. In this paper, the interference effects of co-ions on the biosorption of Cu²⁺ by using a biosorbent derived from the biomass of marine alga Durvillaea potatorum were investigated. The adsorption capacity of biosorbent for Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions containing co-ions of light metal ions (K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺), other heavy metal ions (Ag⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺), and anionic ligands (EDTA, CO₃^2-, SO₄^2-, and PO₄^3-) were obtained. The results showed that Cu²⁺ uptake is significantly affected by other heavy metals and EDTA in solution (1.5-100% suppression) but not significantly affected by light metal ions and other anionic ligands studied.