Simultaneous removal of trace elements from contaminated waters by living Ulva lactuca

authors	Henriques, B; Teixeira, A; Figueira, P; Reis, AT; Almeida, J; Vale, C; Pereira, E
nationality	International
journal	SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
author keywords	Macroalgae; Multi-contaminant; Removal; Wastewater; Cellular partition; Kinetic modelling
keywords	SEQUENTIAL ELUTION TECHNIQUE; INDUSTRIAL WASTE-WATER; HEAVY-METAL IONS; FUCUS-VESICULOSUS; MARINE MACROALGA; AQUEOUS-SOLUTION; SALINE WATERS; BIOSORPTION; PB; CD
abstract	This work shows the capabilities of living seaweed, Ulva lactuca, to remove As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Hg, Mn and Ni from contaminated waters. Experiments were performed with three algal doses (1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 g L-1, FW), two ionic strengths (salinity 15 and 35), and trace element concentrations corresponding to the maximum allowed values in wastewaters. The highest removals were obtained with the algal dose of 6 g L-1, with efficiencies varying between 48% for As and 98% for Hg, after 24 to 72 h. Salinity showed no effect on the removal efficiency. Overall, Elovich model was the best in describing the kinetics of the process, except for Hg, where pseudo-second-order model performed better. The use of extractions with EDTA (0.001, 0.01 to 0.1 mol L-1) has clarified that most of the Hg (approximate to 98%) and Cr (approximate to 80%) crossed the macroalgae walls, while Ni, Cd and As were retained at the surface (between 60 and 80%). These results support the hypothesis that macroalgae-based technologies may be a viable, cost-effective, and greener option to reduce the rejection of priority hazardous substances in contaminated waters. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
publisher	ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
issn	0048-9697
year published	2019
volume	652
beginning page	880
ending page	888
digital object identifier (doi)	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.282
web of science category	Environmental Sciences
subject category	Environmental Sciences & Ecology
unique article identifier	WOS:000454418500081