ABSTRACT
Biosorption of Cr6+ from aqueous solution on dried (Halimeda tuna, Sargassum vulgare, Pterocladia capillacea, Hypnea musciformis, Laurencia papillosa) algae were studied with variation in the parameters of pH, initial metal ion concentration and agitation time. From the batch system studies the working sorption pH value was determined as 1.0 for Halimeda tuna and Sargassum vulgare, 2.0 for Pterocladia capillacea and Hypnea musciformis, 3.0 for Laurencia papillosa. The total adsorbed quantities, equilibrium uptakes and total removal percents of Cr6+ were determined by evaluating the breakthrough curves obtained at different inlet Cr6+ concentration for each sorbent. The maximum chromium biosorption occured at 120 min for Halimeda tuna, 180 min for Sargassum vulgare, Hypnea musciformis and Pterocladia capillacea, 60 min for Laurencia papillosa. The suitability of the Freundlich and Langmiur adsorption models were also investigated for each chromium-sorbent system. The results showed that Sargassum vulgare was found suitable for removing chromium from aqueous solution. The maximum sorption capacities of Halimeda tuna, Sargassum vulgare, Pterocladia capillacea, Hypnea musciformis, Laurencia papillosa were determined as 2.3, 33.0, 6.6, 4.7 and 5.3 mgg(-1).