Optimum conditions for growth and copper (II) removal from leachate by Chlorella vulgaris, Spirogyra ellipsospora and Ulva lactuca

This study examined the effectiveness of removing copper (Cu (II)) ions from leachate using three different live algae species (Chlorella vulgaris, Spirogyra ellipsospora, and Ulva lactuca), both individually and in combination. Various algal doses were tested to assess their impact on metal removal efficiency and algal growth. Five distinct masses (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g L-1) of each alga were grown in a batch experiment on leachate containing 3 mg L-1 of Cu (II) ions. It was found that the optimum algal dose is between 12.5 and 17.5 g L-1, and the optimum equilibrium duration was between 3 and 4.5 days for tested algal species. Under the optimum conditions of algal dose and contact time, the algae exhibited growth and Cu (II) ions removal efficiency in the order of Spirogyra ellipsospora > mixed algae > Chlorella vulgaris > Ulva lactuca. The study concludes that the selection of right algal species is crucial to optimize the growing environment for copper-contaminated leachate bioremediation.