Coppper biosorption using beads biosorbent of mixed culture microalgae

Research on the sorption process of copper metal (Cu2+) from artificial electroplating wastes using a biotechnology approach was studied using beads biosorbent of mixed culture microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorococcum sp., and Scenedesmus obliquus conducted in batch culture to determine the highest efficiency of Cu2+ adsorption as an effort to control Cu2+ pollution from the environment. Biosorbent is made into beads by mixing 0,5 gr (dead biomass)/gr (Na-alginate polymer). The beads biosorbent of these microalgae are contacted with Cu2+in the pH range 4-6 and contact time 0-180 minutes. The highest sorption efficiency of Cu2+ is 92% obtained at pH 4, 120 minutes’ contact time, in temperature of 25 ºC, and with an initial waste concentration of 25 mg/L. The sorption process of this research follows Langmuir Isotherm with R2 value of 0,9991. It is proven that beads biosorbent of mixed culture microalgae can be used as an environmental-friendly solution to control Cu2+pollution in the environment.