Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous solution by Gracilaria corticata varcartecala and Grateloupia lithophila

Objective:To study the biosorption of heavy metals viz.,Cr(VI),Cr(III),Hg(II),Pb(II)and Cd(II)using Gracilaria corticata varcartecala(G.corticata varcartecala)and Grateloupia lithophila(G.lithophila)biomass.Methods:Batch biosorption and acid digestion methods were used.Different physical and chemical parameters were optimized for biosorption.Results:Both seaweeds absorb Hg(II)upto 99.9%and 98.2%in batch biosorption method;whereas in acid digestion method,Cr(III)absorbed upto 96.49%by G.corticata varcartecala and Pb(II)absorbed upto 93.71%by G.lithophila.FT-IR analysis was used to know the involvement of different functional groups in the biosorption process.Scanning electron microscopy was carried out to study the morphological cell surface changes due to biosorption.Conclusions:It can be concluded that G.corticata varcartecala and G.lithophila are potential algal species for effective removal of heavy metals namely Cr(VI),Cr(III),Hg(II),Pb(II)and Cd(II)from environmental sources.