Enhancement strategies for Cu(II), Cr(III) and Cr(VI) remediation by a variety of seaweed species

Bioaccumulation processes for mercury removal from saline waters by green, brown and red living marine macroalgae

Mercury is a very toxic metal that persists and accumulates in the living organisms present in the aquatic systems and its elimination is an urgent need. Two green (Ulva intestinalis and Ulva lactuca), brown (Fucus spiralis and Fucus vesiculosus), and red (Gracilaria sp. and Osmundea pinnatifida) marine macroalgae were tested for mercury removal from saline waters. The ability of each species was evaluated to the initial mercury concentrations of 50, 200, and 500 μg dm^-3 along 72 h. In general, all species exhibited good performances, removing 80.9-99.9% from solutions with 50 μg dm^-3, 79.3-98.6% from solutions with 200 μg dm^-3, and 69.8-97.7% from solutions containing 500 μg dm^-3 of mercury. Among the macroalgae, Ulva intestinalis showed the highest affinity to mercury and it presented an uptake ability up to 1888 μg g^-1 of Hg(II) and bioconcentration factors up to 3823, which proved its promising potential on Hg removal.

Negligible effect of potentially toxic elements and rare earth elements on mercury removal from contaminated waters by green, brown and red living marine macroalgae

Mercury (Hg) removal by six different living marine macroalgae, namely, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Fucus spiralis, Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria sp., and Osmundea pinnatifida was investigated in mono and multi-contamination scenarios. All macroalgae were tested under the same experimental conditions, evaluating the competition effects with all elements at the same initial molar concentration of 1 μmol dm^-3. The presence of the main potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) and rare earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Y) has not affected the removal of Hg. Characterizations of the macroalgae by FTIR before and after the biosorption/bioaccumulation assays suggest that Hg was mainly linked to sulfur-functional groups, while the removal of other elements was related with other functional groups. The mechanisms involved point to biosorption of Hg on the macroalgae surface followed by possible incorporation of this metal into the macroalgae by metabolically active processes. Globally, the green macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca) showed the best performances for Hg, potential toxic elements and rare earth elements removal from synthetic seawater spiked with 1 μmol dm^-3 of each element, at room temperature and pH 8.5.

A green method based on living macroalgae for the removal of rare-earth elements from contaminated waters

Low recycling rates of rare earth elements (REEs) are a consequence of inefficient, expensive and/or contaminating methods currently available for their extraction from solid wastes or from liquid wastes such as acid mine drainage or industrial wastewaters. The search for sustainable recovery alternatives was the motivation for this study. For the first time, the capabilities of 6 living macroalgae (Ulva lactuca, Ulva intestinalis, Fucus spiralis, Fucus vesiculosus, Osmundea pinnatifida and Gracilaria sp.) to remove REEs (Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) from laboratory-prepared seawater spiked with REE solutions were evaluated. The assays lasted 72 h with REEs concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 μg L^-1. The link between REEs uptake and algal metabolism, surface morphology and chemistry were addressed. Kinetics varied among the species, although most of the removal occurred in the first 24 h, with no equilibrium being reached. Lack of mortality reveal that the algae maintained their metabolism in the presence of the REEs. Green alga U. lactuca stood out as the only capable of efficiently removing at least 60% of all elements, reaching removals up to 90% in some cases. The high bioconcentration factors, derived from mass balance analysis (c.a. 2500) support that the REEs enriched algal biomass (up to 1295 μg g^-1) may constitute an effective and environmentally friendly alternative source of REEs to conventional extraction from ores.

The improved methods of heavy metals removal by biosorbents: A review

For decades, a vast array of innovative biosorbents have been found out and used in the removal of heavy metals, including bacteria, algae and fungi, etc. Although extensive biological species have been tried as a biosorbent for heavy metals removal, for removal efficiency or economy efficiency limited, it has failed to make a substantial breakthrough in practical application. Thus, many improved methods based on biosorbents emerged. In this review, based on the literature and our research results, we highlight three types of novel methods for biosorbents removal of heavy metals: chemical modification of biosorbents; biomass and chemical materials combination; multiple biomass complex systems. We mainly focus on their configuration, biosorption performance, their creation method, regeneration/reuse, their application and development in the future. Through the comparative analysis of various methods, we think that intracellular autogenous nanomaterials may open up another window in biosorption of heavy metals area. At the same time, the combination of various treatment methods will be the development tendency of heavy metal pollution treatment in the future.

Application of algae for heavy metal adsorption: A 20-year meta-analysis

The use of algae to adsorb heavy metals is an efficient and environmentally friendly treatment for contaminated water and has attracted widespread research attention. In this study, a meta-analysis of the heavy metal adsorption capacity of algae from five different phyla and the factors influencing these capacities was conducted. Phaeophyta was found to have a high heavy metal adsorption capacity, whereas Bacillariophyta had a relatively low adsorption capacity; Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta, and Cyanophyta had moderate adsorption capacities. Non-living algae were more effective in practical applications than living algae were. Algal biomass had a relatively high adsorption efficiency of 1-10 g/L, which did not increase significantly when algal concentration increased. The algal adsorption efficiency for initial heavy metal concentrations of 10-100 mg/L was higher than for concentrations of greater than 100 mg/L. The results further show that algal adsorption of heavy metals reached a maximum capacity of 80-90% within 20 min. Heavy metal adsorption by algae was not temperature-dependent, and it was more effective in moderately to weakly acidic environments (pH = 4-7.5). Considering these aspects for practical applications, algae from some phyla can effectively be used for heavy metal biosorption in contaminated water.

Mechanisms of strontium's adsorption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Contribution of surface and intracellular uptakes

The objective of this work was to explore the mechanisms participating in strontium sorption by living Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). The location of strontium adsorbed by S. cerevisiae was studied by our plasmolysis treatment. The contribution of physical and chemical mechanisms was determined quantitatively by desorption and blockage of functional groups. Moreover, our results indicated that bioaccumulation also played a major role in biosorption by living cells. Thus, supplementary methods including 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis) and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Tandem Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-TOF) were employed to analyze the different proteins. The subsequent desorption % of Sr²⁺ by Distilled Water (DW), NH₄NO₃ and EDTA-Na₂ from Sr²⁺ loaded sorbents indicated a minor role for physical adsorption, while ion exchange and complexation were responsible for approximately 20% and 40%. Specific blockage of functional groups revealed that carboxyl and amine groups played an important role in Sr²⁺ binding to the living S. cerevisiae. From our MALDI-TOF-TOF results, we concluded that 38 proteins showed up-regulated expression profiles and 11 proteins showed down-regulated after biosorption. Moreover, proteins belong to: phagocytic function (Act1p); ion channel (S-adenosylmethionine synthase); glycolysis (Tubulin) may directly involve in strontium bioaccumulation. In conclusion, the present work indicates that the strontium sorption mechanism by living S. cerevisiae is complicated including ion-exchange along with complexation as the main mechanism, whereas the other mechanisms such as physical adsorption play a minor contribution. Metabolically-dependent proteins may play an important role in bioaccumulation.

Biosorption potential of two brown seaweeds in the removal of chromium

The present work focused on the potential use of brown algae Cystoseira barbata and Cystoseira crinita from the Black Sea coast for removal and speciation analyses of Cr(III,VI) ions from aqueous and wastewater solutions. The biosorption process of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was designed as a function of pH and contact time. Potentiometric titration and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis techniques revealed the potential binding sites present at the surface of the algae for both oxidation states of Cr. Various chemical treatments have been used to indicate the mechanisms of binding Cr(III,VI) and bioreduction of Cr(VI) by the biosorbents. Acidic treatment was the most successful in removing and reducing total Cr(VI). Algae samples were subjected to methylation and esterification processes for modification of amino and carboxyl groups, respectively. The Langmuir model was applied to describe the biosorption of Cr(III,VI) by algae. Total Cr and Cr(VI) determinations were simultaneously made using the diphenyl carbazide spectrophotometric method and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). In conclusion, these algae can be used as a potentially cost-effective biosorbent for the uptake of two different oxidation states of Cr and subsequently for Cr speciation analysis.

Potential use of green algae as a biosorbent for hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solutions

The hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) poses a threat as a hazardous metal and its removal from aquatic environments through biosorption has gained attention as a viable technology of bioremediation. We evaluated the potential use of three green algae (Cladophora glomerata, Enteromorpha intestinalis and Microspora amoena) dry biomass as a biosorbent to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of the biomass was determined using batch experiments. The adsorption capacity appeared to depend on the pH. The optimum pH with the acid-treated biomass for Cr(VI) biosorption was found to be 2.0 at a constant temperature, 45 °C. Among the three genera studied, C. glomerata recorded a maximum of 66.6% removal from the batch process using 1.0 g dried algal cells/100 ml aqueous solution containing an initial concentration of 20 mg/L chromium at 45 °C and pH 2.0 for 60 min of contact time. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations fitted to the equilibrium data, Freundlich was the better model. Our study showed that C. glomerata dry biomass is a suitable candidate to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.

Effects of heavy metal species, concentrations, and speciation on pentachlorophenol sorption by river biofilms

The sorption of trace organic pollutants at solid/liquid interfaces is one of the most important processes that influence their fate and behaviours in the aquatic environment. Sorption is affected by coexisting contaminants. The process and extent to which coexisting heavy metals affect the sorption of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), especially acid radical anion heavy metals, are still unclear. Here, the effects of the species, concentrations, and speciation of the heavy metals Cu, Pb, and Cr, and the metalloid As on the sorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP), as a model OCP, by river biofilms were investigated through batch experiments. The results show that the presence of Cu, Pb, Cr, and As decreased the maximum sorption quantity of PCP onto the biofilms by 67.7, 9.2, 58.4, and 14.4%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of heavy metals on sorption decreased as the initial concentration ratios of heavy metals to PCP increased. In addition, the impact of heavy metals on PCP sorption was attributed to differences in heavy metal speciation. Cu and Pb commonly existed as divalent cations, but Cr and As existed as anionic acid radicals under the experimental conditions. The inhibitory effects of heavy metals on PCP sorption by biofilms were enhanced as the cation valence state increased, while the effects were weakened as the anionic acid radical valence state increased. Although all four heavy metals had inhibitory effects on PCP sorption by biofilms, there were distinct differences in the mechanisms causing these effects.

An ecofriendly approach for bioremediation of contaminated water environment: Potential contribution of a coastal seaweed community to environmental improvement

High levels of heavy metals like copper ions in many industrial based effluents lead to serious environmental and health problems. Biosorption is a potential environmental biotechnology approach for biotreatment of aquatic sites polluted with heavy metal ions. Seaweeds have received great attention for their high bioremediation potential in recent years. However, the co-application of marine macroalgae for removal of heavy metals from wastewater is very limited. Thus, for the first time in literature, a coastal seaweed community composed of Chaetomorpha sp., Polysiphonia sp., Ulva sp. and Cystoseira sp. species was applied to remove copper ions from synthetic aqueous medium in this study. The biosorption experiments in batch mode were conducted to examine the effects of operating variables including pH, biosorbent amount, metal ion concentration and contact time on the biosorption process. The biosorption behavior of biosorbent was described by various equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic models. The biosorption of copper ions was strongly influenced by the operating parameters. The results indicated that the equilibrium data of biosorption were best modeled by Sips isotherm model. The values of mean free energy of biosorption computed from Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model and the standard Gibbs free energy change indicated a feasible, spontaneous and physical biotreatment system. The pseudo-second-order rate equation successfully defined the kinetic behavior of copper biosorption. The pore diffusion also played role in the control of biosorption process. The maximum copper uptake capacity of biosorbent was found to be greater than those of many other biosorbents. The obtained results revealed that this novel biosorbent could be a promising material for copper ion bioremediation implementations.

Chemically modified surface functional groups of Alcaligenes sp. S-XJ-1 to enhance its demulsifying capability

Cell-surface functional groups (amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, as well as phosphate) were chemically modified in various ways to enhance the demulsification capability of the demulsifying bacteria Alcaligenes sp. S-XJ-1. Results demonstrated that the demulsifying activity was significantly inhibited by amino enrichment with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, amino methylation, hydroxyl acetylation, and phosphate esterification, but was gradually promoted by carboxyl blocking with increasing the extents of esterification. Compared with the raw biomass, an optimal esterification of carboxyl moieties enhanced the demulsification ratio by 26.5% and shortened the emulsion half-life from 24 to 8.8 h. The demulsification boost was found to be dominated by strengthened hydrophobicity (from 53° to 74°) and weakened electronegativity (from -34.6 to -4.3 mV at pH 7.0) of the cell surface, allowing the rapid dispersion and adsorption of cells onto the oil-water interface. The chemical modification of the functional groups on the biomass surface is a promising tool for the creation of a high-performance bacterial demulsifier.

Evaluation of Cr(VI) Exposed and Unexposed Plant Parts of Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D. R. Hunt. for Cr Removal from Wastewater by Biosorption

Phytoremediation is an efficient method for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated systems. A productive disposal of metal accumulating plants is a major concern in current scenario. In this work, Cr(VI) accumulating Tradescantia pallida plant parts were investigated for its reuse as a biosorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) ions. The effect of pH, contact time, sorbent dosage, Cr(VI) concentration and temperature was examined to optimize these process parameters. Results showed that Cr(VI) exposed/unexposed T. pallida leaf biomass could remove 94% of chromium with a sorption capacity of 64.672 mg g(-1). Whereas the kinetics of Cr(VI) biosorption was well explained by the pseudo second-order kinetic model, the Langmuir model better described the data on Cr(VI) sorption isotherm compared with the Freundlich model. The changes in the free energy (ΔG°), entropy (ΔS°) and enthalpy (ΔH°) were found to be -5.276 kJ mol(-1), 0.391 kJ mol(-1) K(-1) and 11.346 kJ mol(-1), respectively, which indicated the process to be spontaneous, feasible and endothermic in nature. FTIR spectra of T. pallida leaf biomass revealed the active participation of ligands, such as -NH, amide, hydroxyl and sulphonate groups present in the biomass for Cr(VI) binding, SEM analysis revealed a porous structure of the biosorbent for an easy uptake of Cr(VI).

Box-Behnken methodology for Cr (VI) and leather dyes removal by an eco-friendly biosorbent: F. vesiculosus

This study focused on leather industrial effluents treatment by biosorption using Fucus vesiculosus as low-cost adsorbent. These effluents are yellowish-brown color and high concentration of Cr (VI). Therefore, biosorption process was optimized using response surface methodology based on Box-Behnken design operating with a simulated leather effluent obtained by mixture of Cr (VI) solution and four leather dyes. The key variables selected were initial solution pH, biomass dosage and CaCl2 concentration in the pretreatment stage. The statistical analysis shows that pH has a negligible effect, being the biomass dosage and CaCl2 concentration the most significant variables. At optimal conditions, 98% of Cr (VI) and 88% of dyes removal can be achieved. Freundlich fitted better to the obtained equilibrium data for all studied systems than Temkin, Langmuir or D-R models. In addition, the use of the final biosorbent as support-substrate to grown of enzyme producer fungi, Pleurotus ostreatus, was also demonstrated.

Co-biosorption of copper and glyphosate by Ulva lactuca

This study investigated the adsorption of glyphosate (PMG) onto the green algae Ulva lactuca. PMG was not adsorbed by U. lactuca but PMG was adsorbed when the process was mediated by Cu(II) with molar ratios Cu(II):PMG≥1.5:1. U. lactuca was characterized by water adsorption surface area, FTIR, SEM and EDS. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied. Results showed that the biosorption processes for copper and PMG in the presence of copper were described described by the Langmuir model (qmax=0.85±0.09 mmol g(-1), KL=0.55±0.14 l mmol(-1) and qmax=3.65±0.46 mmol g(-1), KL=0.103±0.03 l mmol(-1), respectively). Copper adsorption was greater in the presence of PMG than in the absence of the pesticide and the adsorption can only be represented by the Freundlich model (KF=0.08±0.01, 1/n=1.86±0.07). In all cases studied, the maximum metal uptake (qmax) increased with increasing pH. Surface complexes with a stoichiometry ranging from ≡Cu-PMG-Cu to ≡Cu-PMG-Cu3 are suggested as reaction products of the process. Due to the increasing amounts of PMG applied in Argentina, natural reservoirs present considerable amounts of this herbicide. The value of this work resides in using U. lactuca, a marine seaweed commonly found along coastlines all over the world, as a biosorbent for PMG.

Characterization and lead(II), cadmium(II), nickel(II) biosorption of dried marine brown macro algae Cystoseira barbata

PURPOSE

The objectives of this research are to identify the functional groups and determine corresponding pK (a) values of the acidic sites on dried brown algae Cystoseira barbata using FTIR and potentiometric titrations, and to investigate the biosorption ability of biomass towards divalent nickel, cadmium, and lead ions. Adsorption was studied as a function of solution pH and contact time, and experimental data were evaluated by the Langmuir isotherm model.

METHODS

CaCl(2) pretreatment was applied to the sorbent for enhancing the metal uptake capacity. The effect of solution pH on biosorption equilibrium was investigated in the pH range of 1.5-5.0. Individual as well as competitive adsorption capacity of the sorbent were studied for metal cations and mixtures.

RESULTS

The retention of the tested metal ions was mostly influenced from pH in the range of 1.5-2.5, then stayed almost constant up to 5.0, while Ni(II) uptake showed the highest variation with pH. Potentiometric titrations were performed to find the number of strong and weak acidic groups and their acidity constants. The density of strong and weak acidic functional groups in the biomass were found to be 0.9 and 2.26 mmol/g, respectively. The FTIR spectra of the sorbent samples indicated various functionalities on the biomass surface including carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amino and sulphonate groups which are responsible for the binding of metal ions.

CONCLUSIONS

The capacity of the biomass for single metal ions (around 1 mmol/g) was increased to 1.3 mmol/g in competitive adsorption, Pb(II) showing the highest Langmuir intensity constant. Considering its extremely high abundance and low cost, C. barbata may be potentially important in metal ion removal from contaminated water and industrial effluents.

Metal accumulation from dietary exposure in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

Metal contamination is a common problem in aquatic environments and may result in metal bioaccumulation and toxicity in aquatic biota. Recent studies have reported the significance of dietary metal accumulation in aquatic food chains, particularly in species of lower trophic levels. This research investigated the accumulation and effects of dietary metals in a macroinvertebrate. The seaweed species Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha prolifera were concurrently exposed to five metals (copper, nickel, lead, cadmium, and zinc) and then individually fed to the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis for a period of 2 weeks. Body mass, test length, total length, and coelomic fluid ion concentration and osmolality were measured. The sea urchins were also dissected and their organs (esophagus, stomach, intestine, gonads, and rectum) digested and analyzed for metals. The results demonstrated that metal accumulation and distribution varied between seaweed species and among metals. In general, there were greater concentrations of metals within the sea urchins fed E. prolifera compared with those fed U. lactuca. All of the metals accumulated within at least one organ of S. droebachiensis, with Cu being most significant. These results indicate that E. prolifera may accumulate metals in a more bioavailable form than within U. lactuca, which could impact the grazer. In this study, no significant differences in body length, growth, or coelomic fluid ion concentration and osmolality were detected between the control and metal-exposed sea urchins after the 2-week testing period. This research presents new data concerning metal accumulation in a marine herbivore after dietary metal exposure.

Biosorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by dead biomasses of green alga Ulva lactuca and the development of a sustainable matrix for adsorption implementation

Many industries have high heavy metals concentrations in their effluents that should be treated before disposal in drains or natural watercourses. When adsorption process is evaluated to generate and implement an efficient, economical and sustainable method suitable for heavy metals removal from contaminated effluents, it is necessary to develop an experimental setup that contains the adsorbent. Ulva lactuca, a marine green alga, was studied as a natural biosorbent for heavy metals at acid pH conditions. Adsorption experiments were carried out in glass columns and in batch where the alga was suspended or fixed in an agar matrix. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to the experimental results. Langmuir model best describes the adsorption isotherms in all analyzed cases. The adsorption capacity increases with pH. Kinetic studies demonstrate that, in most studied cases, the adsorption follows a pseudo second order kinetics model. Removal efficiencies of the biomaterial supported in agar or fixed in columns were: fixed in columns>suspended in batch mode>fixed in agar. Finally, the effect of the presence of two sorbates, Cd and Pb, in the solution was measured and results demonstrate that adsorption of both metals are diminished by co/adsorption.

Isotherm kinetics of Cr(III) removal by non-viable cells of Acinetobacter haemolyticus

The potential use of non-viable biomass of a Gram negative bacterium i.e. Acinetobacter haemolyticus to remove Cr(III) species from aqueous environment was investigated. Highest Cr(III) removal of 198.80 mg g(-1) was obtained at pH 5, biomass dosage of 15 mg cell dry weight, initial Cr(III) of 100 mg L(-1) and 30 min of contact time. The Langmuir and Freundlich models fit the experimental data (R(2)>0.95) while the kinetic data was best described using the pseudo second-order kinetic model (R(2)>0.99). Cr(III) was successfully recovered from the bacterial biomass using either 1M of CH(3)COOH, HNO(3) or H(2)SO(4) with 90% recovery. TEM and FTIR suggested the involvement of amine, carboxyl, hydroxyl and phosphate groups during the biosorption of Cr(III) onto the cell surface of A. haemolyticus. A. haemolyticus was also capable to remove 79.87 mg g(-1) Cr(III) (around 22.75%) from raw leather tanning wastewater. This study demonstrates the potential of using A. haemolyticus as biosorbent to remove Cr(III) from both synthetic and industrial wastewater.