Equilibrium, Kinetic, Thermodynamic and Thermal Stability Studies on Sorption of Ni (II) ions from Aqueous Solution using Dead Biomass of Fresh Water Green Algae Cosmarium panamense

This study investigated biosorption of Ni(II) ion by fresh water dead algal biomass Cosmarium panamense from aqueous solution. The data showed that the maximum pH (pHmax) for efficient sorption of Ni(II) was 6 at which evaluated biosorbent dosage, initial concentrations of Ni(II) and sorption time were 0.1 g/50mL, up to 20 mg/L and 720 min, respectively. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted well to data of Ni(II) biosorption by Cosmarium panamense biomass as compared to the model of Freundlich. The kinetic studies showed that the sorption rates could be described better by a second order expression than by a more commonly applied Lagergren equation. The magnitude of the Gibbs free energy values indicates spontaneous nature of the sorption process. Due to its outstanding Ni(II) uptake capacity, Cosmarium panamense biomass proved to be an excellent biomaterial for accumulating Ni(II) from aqueous solutions.

Author(s): Onwuka Jude Chinedu, Milam Charles and Agu Matthew Onyema

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