Determination of fluoride biosorption from aqueous solutions using Sargassum hystrix algae

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine Sargassum hystrix algae’s efficiency in fluoride removal from aqueous solutions. In a series of batch experiments, the experimental parameters were studied using the dried algae: initial biosorbent dose (0.8–64 g/L), initial fluoride concentration while the mass of biosorbant dose (g/L) ratio to initial fluoride concentration (mg/L) was fixed at 5 ratios in the range of 400–8,000, contact time, pH, activation temperature and the presence of competing anions. The highest removal biosorption was at 40 g/L of biosorbent at 60 min contact time and initial fluoride concentration of 5 mg/L (100% fluoride removal); competing anions and activation temperature had no significant effect on the fluoride biosorption by biosorbent. The biosorption was found to be better fitted to the Freundlich model and follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Finally, it was concluded that the Sargassum hystrix algae can be used as an environmental friendly, cheap and effective biosorbent from aqueous solutions.