Abstract
Dyes constitute an important group of organic contaminants and are recognized for its harmful effects on the aquatic environments and humans. Heavy metals are also the largest group of inorganic pollutants due to their accumulation in the environment, contaminate food chains and cause adverse effects on the living organisms. Biosorption capacity of Ulva lactuca biomass was assessed in batch experiments for simultaneous removal of Pb2+ and Congo red dye from binary solution. The process variables effects on Congo red dye and Pb2+ removal percentages were explored by performing 50 experiments using Face-centered central composite design. The highest removal percentages of Congo red dye (97.89%) and Pb2+ (98.78%) were achieved in the run no. 24, using 100 mg/L Congo red dye, 200 mg/L Pb2+, 3 g/L algal biomass, initial pH 6 and contact time was 120 min at 30 °C. FTIR analysis of the algal biomass showed the existence of many functional groups responsible for the biosorption process. After the biosorption process, SEM analysis revealed obvious morphological changes including surface shrinkage and the presence of new glossy Pb2+ particles, and the EDS spectra reveals presence of additional Pb2+ peak confirming the capacity of Ulva lactuca biomass to remove Pb2+ from binary solution.
Highlights
Several studies have been carried out on single-pollutant adsorption, while substantial amounts of both dyes and metals are found together in the industrial w astewater[1]
A lot of attention was paid to the simultaneous removal of many coexisting mixed pollutants as dyes and heavy metal ions in the processes of wastewater treatment[2]
Several physico-chemical approaches have been widely used for Azo dyes removal from wastewater including ozonation, photocatalytic degradation, chemical degradation, coagulation, neutralization, lime softening, precipitation, membrane filtration, ion exchange, adsorption and oxidation p rocess[24]
Summary
Several studies have been carried out on single-pollutant adsorption, while substantial amounts of both dyes and metals are found together in the industrial w astewater[1]. Lead (Pb2+) is one of the most abundant toxic heavy metals affecting the environment It has been discharged into the environment through disposal of municipal sewage sludge enriched with lead, automobile batteries manufacture, textile dyeing, paper and printing processes, pulp, photographic and paint materials, petroleum refining, glass and ceramic industries, and mining p rocesses[16]. Several physico-chemical approaches have been widely used for Azo dyes removal from wastewater including ozonation, photocatalytic degradation, chemical degradation, coagulation, neutralization, lime softening, precipitation, membrane filtration, ion exchange, adsorption and oxidation p rocess[24] These physico-chemical approaches have been restricted due to a high cost, generation of toxic sludge after removal and restricted application in most cases[25]. Dulla et al.[34] revealed that the high removal and biosorption capacity of algae was mainly
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