An indigenous cyanobacterium, Lyngbya putealis, as biosorbent: Optimization based on statistical model

Abstract

The present investigation was aimed at analyzing the potential utility of Lyngbya putealis HH-15, an indigenous cyanobacterium isolated from a metal contaminated site as a biosorbent of cobalt from aqueous solutions. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetic behavior of cobalt in aqueous solution was studied through batch mode experiments allowing the computation of kinetic parameters and maximum metal adsorption capacity. Among the experimental parameters like pH, biosorbent dose, and initial concentration of metal the most effective influencing parameters and their interactions were identified by Box–Behnken design. High value of regression coefficient between the variables and the response (R2=0.9512) and low probability value indicate excellent evaluation of experimental data by second order polynomial regression model. The response surface method indicated that 40–50mg/L initial cobalt concentration, 6.0–6.5 pH and biosorbent dose of 0.6–0.8g/100ml were optimal for biosorption of cobalt by biosorbent prepared from L. putealis.