ADSORPTION-ISOTHERMS OF LEAD(II) AND CHROMIUM(VI) ON CLADOPHORA-CRISPATA

The biosorption of heavy metal ions by algae is a promising property w ith a potential for industrial use. The adsorption of lead(II) and chr omium(VI) ions on Cladophora crispata, a green algae, was studied with respect to adsorption pH and temperature in order to determine the op timum conditions for lead(II) and chromium(VI) removal, which were fou nd to be pH 5.0, 25-degrees-C and pH 1.0, 25-degrees-C, respectively. The adsorption isotherms were developed and it was seen that the adsor ption equilibrium data fit both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms with in the studied metal ion concentrations. The adsorption constants for lead were much higher than those for chromium for both Langmuir and Fr eundlich models.