Research Information System
Turkish Journal of Biochemistry, vol.41, no.2, pp.87-95, 2016 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
Objective: The aim of present manuscript is to evaluate the efficiency of two microalgae strains -Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus sp- in removal of some inorganic nutrients and heavy metals. Methods: For this aim the green microalgae (Chlorophyta), grown in controlled laboratory conditions, were used as biosorbent for the removal of six different concentrations of Antimony (Sb3+), Manganese (Mn2+), Copper (Cu2+), Nickel (Ni2+), Phosphate (PO43-) and Nitrate (NO3-) which are prepared in aqueous solutions at conc. 0.1-1 mM for PO43-; 5-30 mM for NO3-; 2,5-100 ppm for heavy metals. Besides, the effects of heavy metals and inorganic nutrients on the cell’s total carbohydrate and chlorophyll a-b content were investigated during 24 hours exposure. Results: According to the results, the average removal efficiency of Phosphate, Nitrate, Antimony, Manganese, Copper and Nickel on C. vulgaris biomass was determined 95.91%, 21.63%, 28.64%, 49.41%, 33.38% and 29.96% while 98.15%, 14.28%, 10.05%, 8.52%, 30.18% and 20.62% on Scenedesmus sp. cells, respectively. On the other hand, the average adsorption capacities of Sb3+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, PO43- and NO3- ions were confirmed 0.18, 0.38, 0.28, 0.15, 1.18 and 9.30 mg g-1 by C. vulgaris and 2.99, 0.96, 11.50, 11.33, 0.75 and 4.56 mg g-1 by Scenedesmus sp. biomass. Conclusion: Result of this study suggests that Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus sp. have a remarkable ability on removal of excessive nutrients and heavy metals at laboratory conditions.