Dynamics and Thermodynamics Studies on the Lead and Cadmium Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Padina sp Algae: Studies in Single and Binary Metal Systems

Raw and modified biomasses prepared from Padina sp. algae have been used as sorbent for the removal of lead and cadmium from single and binary aqueous solutions. The effects of chemical pretreatment, exposure time, initial solution pH, initial metal concentration, and temperature on the metal uptake by the algae were investigated. It was observed that initial solution pH considerably influenced Pb and Cd uptake. The maximum removal occurred at initial pH of 5.0 for lead and 6.0 for cadmium. Also, alkali modified biomass has been shown to have a high uptake capacity for both lead and cadmium. The kinetic and equilibrium experimental data fitting tested with various models. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm provided the best correlation of the kinetic and equilibrium experimental data, respectively. The maximum uptake estimated from the Langmuir isotherm was 264mgg(-1) for lead and 164mgg(-1) for cadmium ions. Experimental biosorption data in binary system were well described by the extended Langmuir model. Various thermodynamic parameters, such as G degrees, H degrees, and S degrees were calculated.