Assessing the Suitability of Green Algae (Chlorella Sorokiana) as Biosorbent for Removal of Cu (II) and Zn (II) Ions from Synthetic Wastewater in a Batch System

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in wastewater poses a significant threat to environmental and human health. This study investigated the potential of Chlorella sorokiana, a green alga, as a biosorbent for Cu (II) and Zn (II) removal from synthetic wastewater. Batch experiments were conducted at 28°C, pH 6, and a contact time of 60 minutes. Chlorella sorokiana displayed promising biosorption capacity, removing 85% and 75% of Cu (II) and Zn (II), respectively. Further optimization revealed enhanced removal efficiencies at pH 5 (88.5% Cu (II) and 82% Zn (II)) and a biosorbent dosage of 0.5 g/L (90.7% Cu (II) and 87.1% Zn (II)). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of Chlorella sorokiana as a biosorbent for heavy metal remediation. This research highlights the potential of biosorption as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach for wastewater treatment, offering a promising solution for mitigating heavy metal pollution.