|
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2007
>
February
> |
|
In the Laboratory
|
|
|
|
Zinc Biosorption by Seaweed Illustrated by the Zincon Colorimetric Method and the Langmuir Isotherm
|
Maria Mar Areco and Maria dos Santos Afonso
DQIAyQF-INQUIMAE, FCEyN, UBA, Cdad Universitaria – Pab. II – (C1428EHA) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Erika Valdman
Center for Mineral Technology, CODS/CETEM/MCT, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
|
|
February 2007
Vol. 84 No. 2
p. 302
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Abstract |
|
Heavy metals are major pollutants in marine, ground, industrial, and even treated waters. Sorption of heavy metals onto live or dead biological materials (biosorption) is a potential method of removing toxic metals. Zinc and two algae, Ulva sp. and Gymnogongrus torulosus, were evaluated in this study. A linear zinc calibration curve in the range 1–8 mg L-1 was obtained using the zincon colorimetric method. In the biosorption assays, a rapid zinc uptake was observed and kinetic curves stabilized after 60 minutes. Experiments using initial zinc concentrations of 50 mg L-1 showed that 20% and 60% of zinc ions were removed from solution by Ulva sp. and Gymnogongrus torulosus, respectively. Results obtained from varying initial zinc concentrations allowed data fitting to Langmuir model with a good correlation. The maximum zinc uptake capacity and affinity constant obtained for Gymnogongrus torulosus were higher than those for Ulva sp. Maximum zinc uptake capacities were 42.8 x10-3 and 26.8 x10-3 for Gymnogongrus torulosus and Ulva sp., respectively, while the affinity constants were 0.084 L mg-1 and 0.019 L mg-1, respectively. An interesting and simple experiment was developed to show the potential of algae in biosorption processes.
|
| Supplement |
Additional background information about the experiment is available.
|
|
| More Information |
|
Citation |
Areco, María Mar; dos Santos Afonso, Maria; Valdman, Erika. J. Chem. Educ. 2007, 84, 302.
|
|
Keywords |
Biotechnology; Environmental Chemistry; Transition Elements; UV-Vis Spectroscopy
|
|
History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
1/9/2007
2/23/2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Caution! | | Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations. |
|
|
| |
|
| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
2007
>
February
> Page
302
|
|
|
| JCE HS CLIC |
|
Our Secondary School editors work hard to distill all the JCE materials to produce a fraction of particular interest to high school teachers. We call it CLIC.
|
| Contributions Welcome |
| JCE welcomes your submission |
| Advertisers |
| In recent years we have worked hard to better match our advertisers with our readers. When shopping for chemistry education materials, visit our advertisers' WWW sites first. |
| Be An Ambassador |
| Take JCE along on your outreach missions. Copies of the Journal, guest access to JCE Online, our publications catalog, and more are available for your participants. |
|
