Biosorption of copper ions from aqueous solution by Codium vermilara: Optimization, kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic studies

Abstract

In this investigation, the efficiency of Codium vermilara for copper ions removal from aqueous solution was studied. Central Composite Design has been used for the Response Surface Methodology and has been found to be an effective method for investigating the influences of various variables and their interactions on the efficiency of Cu2+ ions removal. The interactive impacts of four variables: algal dose, pH, initial concentrations of copper and contact time on the copper removal efficiency were assessed. Algal dose 0.75 g/L, pH 5.28, contact time 70.51 min, and copper concentration 48.75 mg/L were found to be the conditions of optimum biosorption. The efficiency of copper removal was found to be 85.5% under these optimum conditions. Copper removal on the biomass of C. vermilara followed well the kinetics of pseudo-first-order, Elvoish and Intraparticle diffusion. Compared to the other models, Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm best suited the experimental data revealing that the adsorption mechanism was physical adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters exhibited non-spontaneous, randomness and endothermic biosorption of Cu2+ ions. Additionally, the biosorbent characterization was estimated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis. Thus, C. vermilara could be used as possible biosorbent for removing heavy metals and other pollutants from the environment.