USE OF MICROALGAE (RED TIDE PHYTOPLANKTONS) AS AN ADSORBENT OF SEVERAL METAL-IONS IN WATER

Nineteen strains of algae and one Altermia sania were tested for their ability to collect metal ions. A method was described to collect the several metal ions in water with the microalgae (boiling water-treated powder algae). A 50 ml solution containing Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Mn 2+ and Zn2+ was mixed with 100 mg of the microalgae under stirring for 30 min. The solution was then centrifuged or filtered through and the concentrations of metal ions in the filtrate were determined with an atomic absorption spectrometer. The red tide phytoplankton (Chattonell a antiqua) tested were found to be more collective to Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2 and Co2+ than the green algae or the other micro algae. The collect o rder of the metals by Chattonella antiqua (boiling water-treated powde r algae) was Cd greater-than-or-equal-to Cu > Zn > Mn > Ni > Co > Ga.