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Copper removal by immobilized Microcystis aeruginosa in continuous flow columns at different bed heights: study of the adsorption/desorption cycle

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Abstract

Microcystis aeruginosa immobilized in a natural polymer was tested for its potential to remove Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution in a continuous, downflow packed columnar reactor. Various parameters like flow rate, bed height and contact time required for maximum removal of test metals by the immobilized Microcystis aeruginosa were optimized. An increase in bed height from 2 to 10 cm resulted in an apparent decrease in biosorption capacity from 8.94 to 5.34 mg g−1, but more Cu2+ solution was purified at the higher bed height. Efficiency of metal recovery from Cu2+-loaded biomass and its subsequent regeneration was also determined. Immobilized M. aeruginosa was found to be effective in Cu2+ removal from solution for up to 10 cycles of adsorption–desorption and 1 M HCl is very efficient desorbent for regeneration of Microcystis biomass for reuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Algal Biology, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi –, 221005, India

    Subhashree Pradhan & L.C. Rai

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  1. Subhashree Pradhan
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  2. L.C. Rai
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Pradhan, S., Rai, L. Copper removal by immobilized Microcystis aeruginosa in continuous flow columns at different bed heights: study of the adsorption/desorption cycle. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 17, 829–832 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013800800176

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013800800176

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