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The effect of silica and maghemite nanoparticles on remediation of Cu(II)-, Mn(II)- and U(VI)-contaminated water by Acutodesmus sp.

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Abstract

The effect of silica and maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) on the sequestration of Cu, Mn and U by Acutodesmus sp. was investigated with the aim of quantifying the influence of NPs on the remediation efficiency of the alga. Metal removal was thus quantified in NP-only, algae-only and NP-algae batch treatments. Results showed that adsorption in NP-only systems was rapid, attaining equilibrium within 5 min. Removal of Cu was higher with maghemite NPs, while more Mn and U were removed with silica NPs. Reaction kinetics were better described by the pseudo-second-order rate model, and isotherm data were fitted by the Freundlich model. Metal removal in NP-algae systems was ∼12–27 % higher than in algae-only or NP-only systems due to the greater number of sorption sites in NP-algae treatments. NPs also modified algae-metal partitioning: extracellular concentrations were higher and intracellular fractions lower in the presence of NPs relative to controls (without NPs). NP agglomeration in metal solutions was quantified in order to determine the potential for NP absorption by algal cells. Results showed that NPs coalesced to form agglomerates 300 (±100) nm in diameter, which were unlikely to be absorbed through algal cell walls. As some studies have shown metal toxicity to be related to intracellular metal fractions in algae, a combination of NPs and algae for phycoremediation can therefore improve the efficiency of operations both by increasing removed metal fractions and by protecting algal cells from metal toxicity.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the Global Change and Sustainability Research Institute of the University of Witwatersrand. We are indebted to Prof. Stuart Sym for the starter culture, access to his culturing facility and for helpful comments on the manuscript; Mr. Sipho Mhlambi for identifying the algal specie; and Dr. Lisa Du Toit for her help with light scattering measurements.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, College of Engineering, Science and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Anita Etale

  2. Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, WITS 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Hlanganani Tutu

  3. School of Animal Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, WITS 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Deanne C. Drake

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  1. Anita Etale
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  2. Hlanganani Tutu
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Correspondence to Anita Etale.

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Etale, A., Tutu, H. & Drake, D.C. The effect of silica and maghemite nanoparticles on remediation of Cu(II)-, Mn(II)- and U(VI)-contaminated water by Acutodesmus sp.. J Appl Phycol 28, 251–260 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-015-0555-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-015-0555-z

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