aSchool of Life Science, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, PR China
bSchool of Life Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
cThe Modern Analysis Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, PR China
Abstract:
Immobilized Microcystis aeruginosa in a flow-through sorption column was evaluated for the potential to remove Pb2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ from aqueous solutions. M. aeruginosa showed high affinity for the three heavy metals with removal efficiency of 90% for Cd2+ and Hg2+, and 80% for Pb2+ at saturation conditions. Competitive sorption experiments conducted in paired and ternary systems indicated that Pb2+ was sequestered preferentially over Cd2+ and Hg2+. The presence of Cd2+ interfered only slightly with the uptake of Hg2+, as Pb2+ and Hg2+ did with Cd2+. In contrast, Hg2+ sorption was affected by Pb2+ to a great extent. Desorption with 1 M HCl was completed within 25 min with high efficiency and effectiveness for the three metals. The results of this study indicate that M. aeruginosa is to be a potential biosorbent material except when Hg2+ and Pb2+ are in the same contaminated solution.