Biosorption of Heavy Metal Ions Using Green Algae (Sargassum Wightii) – Equilibrium, Kinetics and Thermodynamic Studies

The removal of heavy metal ions (Cr, Pb, and Zn) present in aqueous solutions has been examined using Sargassum Wight (SW) - brown algae – as an organic adsorbent. The functional groups of SW were determined by FT-IR analysis before and after heavy metal ion adsorption. Because of the strong Van der Walls forces, the SEM/EDX picture reveals the presence of heavy metal ions on the surface of the SW. The influence of adsorption was studied in different settings by adjusting the parameters of pH, SW dosage, metal ion concentration, time of contact, and temperature. In addition, thermodynamic and isotherm investigations were carried out in order to determine the adsorption process and its connection. It was found that by adding 0.3 N H2SO4, the maximal desorption rate was achieved. Around 99.6% of chromium ions, 89.27% of lead ions, and 82.39% of zinc ions were removed from the synthetic solutions through batch-mode adsorption studies.