Bioreduction and biosorption of chromium by Undaria pinntifida

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium can be efficiently removed from solutions using the brown algae, Undaria pinnatifida, at pH 2. The maximum removal capacity and the Langmuir affinity coefficient were 0.641 mmol.g−1 and 29.1 L.mmol−1, respectively. FTIR and XPS analyses demonstrated the presence of both species of chromium (Cr(III) and Cr(VI)) on the biomass confirming a mechanism with a first sorption of Cr(VI), a reduction on the biomass, and a later desorption of Cr(III). Our results showed that this invasive algae in argentinian coasts could be used as available and inexpensive biosorbent in the removal of Cr(VI) from industrial effluents and wastewaters.