Abstract
In the present study the microalgae (Chlorella sorokiniana) immobilized on corn cob was examined for the removal of chromium ions from aqueous solution. The efficiency of the algae inoculated corn cob was compared with that of free corn cob and free algal species. The algal species were inoculated into the matrix of corn cob in order to increase its performance as the biosorbent. Algae inoculated corn cob was found to show 25% better chromium removal efficiency. The parameters influencing the adsorption like concentration, pH, contact time was optimized through batch studies. The maximum adsorption efficiency shown by the inoculated corn cob was 11.24 mg/g. The chromium biosorption showed maximum efficiency after 16 h of contact time. The biosorption process was well explained by the Langmuir isotherm model and it followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The sorption process was pH dependent and maximum chromium removal efficiency was obtained at a pH of 2.5. For regeneration of the adsorbent, 0.1 N NaOH is used as the eluting agent. The regeneration studies confirmed that 60% of the sorbed chromium was eluted in two hours.
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