Bioremoval of copper and zinc by filamentous alga Oscillatoria limnetica

Abstract

In this study, the ability of Oscillatoria limnetica was evaluated in the adsorption of copper and zinc within the optimum growth conditions of these algae species. The algae was exposed to different concentrations of copper and zinc, to test ability of algae in removal of both elements. The results showed the significant ability of O. limnetica to remove the copper ion from the aqueous solution. The removal percentage was 85.71, 65.71, 69.1, 84.78, and 88.35 for the concentrations 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 ppm, respectively. There was a complete removal of the copper on the day 11 of the experiment. The removal percentage of zinc was 97.23, 97.73, 98.28, 98.73 and 98.3 for the concentrations 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 ppm, respectively. The results suggest that the possibility of using O. limnetica in removal of heavy metals from wastewater.