The Use Of Algae Wastes As Bio Adsorbent For Heavy Metals Removal

Utilization of natural bio adsorbents in removing heavy metals from
wastewater becoming a great concern nowadays as the effluents from municipal and
agricultural sector as well as industries such as electroplating, mining operation,
tanneries, smelting, storage batteries industries, and etc. are widely being produced.
This initiates so much worries to the community since heavy metals can generate many
health problems especially to human via food consumption as well as affect the
tranquillity of environmental ecosystem. Development of research associated to algae
as natural bio adsorbent become an important field of a study recently since algae are
said to be an effective and suitable alternative that can be used to remove heavy metals
in wastewater replacing the conventional techniques of removing heavy metals. This
study proposed algae wastes (Ulva fasciata and Gracilaria changii) as low-cost
adsorbents for the removal of copper [Cu(II)] and lead [Pb(II)] from wastewater.
Adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) by algal biomass-based activated carbon was
conducted using batch tests.