Biosorption of trace metals from aqueous multimetal solutions by green microalgae

Two strains of green microalgae C. reinhardti and C. pyrenoidosa were examined for their biosorption of Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ from aqueous multi-metal solutions. A wide range of biosorption capacities can be observed due to different strains of microalgae and different species of trace metals. This characteristic was ascribed to the distinct components and structures of algal cell walls and the different physicochemical properties of trace metals, such as atomic weight and ion density. C. pyrenoidosa showed higher uptake capacities than C. reinhardti and both of them had a preference for the uptake of cadmium over others in the trace metal solution, suggesting they can be a good biomaterial for biosorption of cadmium. Live microalgal cells displayed a more complex sorption process than dead microalgal cells because of cell assimilation.