Characterization of Desmodesmus pleiomorphus isolated from a heavy metal-contaminated site: biosorption of zinc

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Monteiro, CM (Author) Other; Marques, APGC (Author) Other; Castro, PML (Author) Other; F. Xavier Malcata (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biodegradation

Vol. 20

Pages: 629-641

ISSN: 0923-9820

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citations

Scopus - 28 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-FXY

DOI: 10.1007/s10532-009-9250-6

Abstract (EN): Microalgae have been proven efficient biological vectors for heavy metal uptake. In order to further study their biosorption potential, a strain of Desmodesmus pleiomorphus (L) was isolated from a strongly contaminated industrial site in Portugal. Under different initial Zn(2+) concentrations, metal removal by that strain reached a maximum of 360 mg Zn/g biomass after 7 days, at 30 mg Zn/l, after an initial rapid phase of uptake. Comparative studies were carried out using a strain of the same microalgal species that is commercially available (ACOI 561): when exposed to 30 mg Zn/l, it could remove only 81.8 mg Zn/g biomass. Biosorption experiments using inactivated biomass of the isolated strain reached a maximum Zn(2+) uptake of 103.7 mg/g. Metal removal at various initial pH values was studied as well; higher removal was obtained at pH 5.0. The microalga strain L, isolated from the contaminated site, exhibited a much higher removal capacity than the commercial strain, and the living biomass yielded higher levels of metal removal than its inactivated form.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13