Abstract
The potential of alginate-immobilized Anabaena doliolum and Chlorella vulgaris was assessed for removal of nutrients (NO sup-inf3 and NH sup+inf4 ) and metals (Cr2O sup2-inf7 and Ni2+) at different biomass concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.49 and 1.22 g dry wt l-1) and pH values (4 to 10). Though uptake of all these substances was higher in concentrated algal beads (0.25, 0.49 and 1.22 g dry wt l-1), their rate of uptake was significantly (P<0.001) lower than that of low (0.05 g dry wt l-1) cell density beads. For A. doliolum, there was no significant difference in uptake rates for beads having densities of 0.05 and 0.1 g dry wt l-1. Chlorella vulgaris, however, showed maximum efficiency at 0.1 g dry wt l-1. Uptake of both the nutrients and the metals was maximal at pH 7 followed by pH 8, 6, 9, 10, 5 and 4. Of the different substances (organic acids and divalent cations) used, humic acid was most efficient in decreasing metal uptake. Mg2+ was, however, more efficient than Ca2+ in decreasing Ni2+ uptake. Immobilized algae with a cell density of 0.1 g dry wt l-1 were the most efficient for nutrient and metal removal at pH 6 to 8.
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Mallick, N., Rai, L.C. Influence of culture density, pH, organic acids and divalent cations on the removal of nutrients and metals by immobilized Anabaena doliolum and Chlorella vulgaris . World J Microbiol Biotechnol 9, 196–201 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327836
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327836