Biosorption of Cadmium (II) Ion from Aqueous Solution Using Living Cell and Non-Living Cell Microalga Scenedesmus Dimorphus

ABSTRACT The ability of microalga Scenedesmusdimorphus, living cells and non-living cells has been tested for bioremoval of a heavy metal, Cadmium (Cd +2 ) in aqueous solution. Bioremoval capacity of living and non-living cells microalga Scenedesmusdimorphus was studied include the effects of pH solution, initial concentration of Cd +2 and contact time. For non-living cells microalga, the maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 6 with 2.465 mg Cd /g of removal capacity. The highest extent of Cd +2 removal occurred at initial concentration 20 mg Cd /L, and optimal contact time achieved when it exposed for 3 hours. For living cells microalga, the maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 7 with 2.765 mg Cd /g of removal capacity. The highest extent of Cd +2 removal was also occurred at initial concentration 20 mg Cd /L, and optimal contact time achieved when it exposed for 10 hours. Further the biosorbent was characterized by Fourier Transformer Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies helped to identify the various functional groups contributing in the sorption process. From FTIR spectra analysis, hydroxyl was the major functional group contributed in biosorption process.The electron microscopy examination by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed that there was a significant change in cell's surface structure after the uptake of Cd ions. There were tangled formations formed and change in pores size and shape. It was concluded that S.dimorphus biomass can be used potentially as biosorbent for the removal Cd in aqueous solution