TRABAJOS ORIGINALES

Application of marine seaweeds as lead (II) biosorbents: analysis of the equilibrium state

Norma A. Cuizano¹ ; Bertha P. Llanos¹ ; Abel E. Navarro²

¹ Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, L31, Lima, Perú.
² Graduate School of Arts and Science, Department of Chemistry, New York University, 10003, New York, NY, United States.

ABSTRACT

Through the use of non-living biomass, the brown seaweeds Lessonia nigrescens Bory and Macrocystis integrifolia Bory were evaluated as adsorbents for the removal of lead (II) ions from aqueous solutions at room temperature. The effects of initial pR, mass of adsorbent, initial concentration of the metal, ionic strength and particle size were examined in batch experiments; pH exhibited a strong response to the levels of the lead (II) in the aqueous chemistry. Yet at the same time, and due to due to competition for the adsorption sites, and undesirable increase in ionic strength during the adsorption process was revealed. Moreover, in the equilibrium state, the mathematical adsorption model ofLangmuir efficiently describes the competitive adsorption mechanism by both algae. The calculated parameters show a high adsorbentladsorbate affinity, highlighting their potential utilization in the elimination oflead (II) from residual waters.

Key words: Alga, lead (II), adsorption isotherm, pR, alginate, biosorption.

Texto completo en PDF:

http://www.scielo.org.pe/pdf/rsqp/v75n1/a06v75n1.pdf