As the world continues to grow and develop, we see the ever-increasing impact we have on the planet. One issue of importance is the contamination of our fresh water sources with heavy metals. These contaminants often enter the water supply through industrial waste runoff. Algae have recently been examined as a cost-effective method to remove these metals from water, when compared to the various methods, such as reverse osmosis and chemical precipitation, which are used by waste removal facilities. This research focuses on the biosorption of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) by two species of algae, Neochloris minuta and Neochloris alveolaris. Each species was grown in two separate environments, one with a nitrogen source (+N) and another without it (-N); the -N algae had higher amounts of lipids and lower amounts of proteins. Varying concentrations of lead, zinc, and nickel solutions were mixed with 20 mg of +N or -N Neochloris minuta or Neochloris alveolaris algae at room temperature for one hour. Then the algae were filtered from solution and the solution was analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer to determine the concentration of metal remaining. The results indicated that all algae adsorbed best in low concentrations and the algae grown in a nitrogen rich environment adsorbed more metal. Neochloris minuta algae (+N) adsorbed the greatest amount of lead 209.4±25.9 mg/g while Neochloris alveolaris (-N) adsorbed the least amount of 44.2±15.6 mg/g.

Heavy metal biosorption ability of Neochloris algae

2019 Spring National Meeting

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