BIOSORPTION OF URANIUM IN A CONTINUOUS FLOW PACKED BED COLUMN USING CYSTOSEIRA INDICA BIOMASS

Uranium(II) biosorption from aqueous solution by Cystoseira indica biomass was studied in a packed bed column. The uptake capacity of uranium was investigated by natural and different pretreated biomasses. Results showed 0.1 M CaCl2 solution at pH=4, used as pretreatment, increased the uptake capacity more than 30% (371.39 mg/g). Cations concentration measurement in the effluent solution, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence analyses on biosorbents proved that ion exchange is the main biosorption mechanism. The elution efficiency for uranium desorption was determined for various chemical agents in a batch system. Among these eluants, 0.1 M HCl exhibited elution efficiency greater than 78%. Also, biomass regeneration by 0.1 M HCl was studied in a continuous system. The obtained results confirmed that reusability of this biomass is conceivable. Thus, Cystoseira indica can be used in the packed bed column as a potential biosorbent for treatment of uranium polluted aqueous solutions.