Removal of Ni(II) from Aqueous Solution by Biosorption using two Green Algal Species Oscillatoria sp. & Spirogyra sp.

Removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solutions by biosorption on dried green algae Oscillatoria sp. and Spirogyra sp. was investigated as a function of contact time, pH, algal dose, initial nickel ion concentration and temperature. The uptake of Ni(II) by Oscillatoria sp. is rapid by Oscillatoria sp. than by Spirogyra sp. Metal uptake capacity of algal biomass increased with increase in initial metal ion concentrations. Oscillatoria sp. was observed to be a far superior biosorbent than Spirogyra sp. in the removal of nickel ions. Removal of the metal ions has been found to increase with an increase in temperature by both the biomasses. The sorbed nickel ions were effectively desorbed using 0.1N HCl. Key-Words: Removal, Oscillatoria sp., Spirogyra sp. biosorption, contact time, nickel, pH, metal uptake, temperature.