Biosorption of copper by biomass of extremophilic algae

Abstract

Copper and lead are among the most important chemical pollutants of the environment including hydrosphere. Interaction of these heavy metals with biomass of aquatic plant organisms including algae is an area of active research in ecological chemistry. We investigated the interaction of the biomass of unique extremophilic (thermophilic) algae Galdieria sulphuraria with these heavy metals in aquatic environment using stripping voltammetry. Biosorption of copper by the studied biomass from aquatic medium has been discovered; however, no biosorption of another heavy metal from aquatic environment with the biomass has been detected. The experiments with the mortmass of Galdieria sulphuraria have revealed no sorption of the heavy metals as measured by stripping voltammetry. The difference in the interaction of copper and lead with the algal biomass is important for deeper understanding of the biosorption phenomenon. The new data stimulated further interest to the concept of biogenic migration of chemical elements that was proposed by V.I. Vernadskii. The results contributed to the scientific basis for innovative biotechnology to decontaminate water.