BIOSORPTION OF COPPER (II) BY BROWN SEAWEED SARGASSUM ILICIFOLIUM (TURNER) C. AGARDH

Abstract

The biosorption of copper (II) on Sargassum ilicifolium biomass was investigated. Batch biosorption experiments
were conducted to determine the biosorption properties of the biomass and it was observed that the maximum
capacity of copper uptake was around 47% at pH 4.5 during one hour with 1000 mg/L of initial concentration
and 100mg algal material. Increased biomass 500 mg accelerated the rate of removal of metal to more than
90% at the similar pH value. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of algal biomass revealed the
presence of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl group, which are responsible for biosorption of metal
ions. SEM analysis revealed cross linkage between the copper ions and the organic functional groups of the
biomass.