International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391 Volume 5 Issue 12, December 2016 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Biosorption of Lead (Pb 2+ ) from Industrial Effluent using Green Algae Olusola B. O., Aransiola M. N. Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Abstract: Heavy metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems being faced by the world today. Biosorption has emerged as a cost-effective and efficient alternative technology for removal of heavy metals. The potential of three immobilized algae species for removal of Lead (Pb 2+ ) from industrial effluent was analysed through batch studies. Algal bloom water samples were obtained from fish ponds in Prof. Olu Odeyemi’s Farm, Ilesa. Effluent was collected from industrial discharge system around Ile–Ife (Nigeria). Algae were isolated from the effluent samples using pour plate technique on Allen and Bristol agar media at pH 7.1. The identity of the algae isolates was established using Identification guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial algae. Algae were immobilized with 1.5% calcium alginate and the beads of approximately 3mm were formed using peristaltic pump. Biosorption batch studies was carried out by the addition of 150 beads into 100ml solution (50 ml of wastewater and 50 ml of media) in 250ml conical flask at 100rpm, room temperature and pH 3, 5 and 7. Concentration of Lead (Pb 2+ ) was determined in 2 days interval using atomic absorption spectrophotometer at 0.04mg/l detection limit. The algal isolates were identified asSynochromonaselaeochrus, Scenedesmusfacatuschodat and Aphanizomenonflos-aquae. The percentage removal of Lead (Pb 2+ )by Synochromonaselaeochrus, Scenedesmusfacatuschodat and Aphanizomenonflos-aquae varies with pH and time. At pH 5, Synochromonaselaeochrushad the best percentage removal rate (100%) (that is not detectable in the effluent)while Scenedesmusfacatuschodatand Aphanizomenonflos-aquae performed best at (100%) pH 3 and 5 over the period of time.At pH 7, the percentage removal of Lead (Pb 2+ )decreases with time for all algae species. At pH 3, Scenedesmusfacatuschodatand Aphanizomenonflos-aquae performed better by complete (100%) removal of Lead (Pb 2+ )starting from day 1 while Synochromonaselaeochrus completely (100%) remove Lead (Pb 2+ )starting from day 3. Since the algae isolates showed appreciable sorption of the metal, they can be used for biosorption of metals from industrial effluentprior to its discharge to avoid environmental pollution. Keywords: Biosorption, Synochromonaselaeochrus, immobilization, Industrial effluent, Lead (Pb 2+ ) 1. Introduction Heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions is an important issue faced by industries discharging waste water containing heavy metals. Thousands of tons of heavy metals are discharged from industrial processes such as electroplating, plastics manufacturing, mining and metallurgical processes. A number of physicochemical methods, such as chemical precipitation, adsorption, solvent extraction, ion exchange, membrane separation, etc., have been commonly employed for stripping toxic metals from wastewaters [1]. However, these methods have several disadvantages, such as incomplete metal removal, expensive equipment and monitoring system requirements, high reagent or energy requirements and generation of toxic sludge or other waste products that require disposal. Furthermore, they may be ineffective or extremely expensive when metal concentration in wastewater is in the range 10-100 mg l -1 [2] Biosorption of heavy metals from aqueous effluents is a process that has proven very promising. The major advantages of biosorption technology are its effectiveness in reducing the concentration of heavy metal ions to very low levels. The major advantages of biosorption over conventional treatment methods include: low cost, high efficiency, minimization of chemical and/or biological sludge regeneration of biosorbent, no additional nutrient requirement, and the possibility of metal recovery [3]. One of the main interests for microalgae is focused on their use for heavy metal removal from effluents. Efforts have been made to test the efficacy of immobilized algae and cyanobacteria for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution. Immobilization is a general term that describes many different forms of cell attachment or entrapment [4]. Various techniques, such as flocculation, adsorption on surfaces, covalent binding to carriers, crosslinking of cells, encapsulation in polymer gel and entrapment in polymeric matrix, are used for cell or biomass immobilization. Immobilization generally tends to increase more metal accumulation by biomass. Size of the immobilized beads is a crucial factor for use of immobilized biomass in biosorption. More than 15 microalgal species have been already studied for their potential in heavy metal removal [5].Chlorella salina cells immobilized in alginate were used to remove Co, Zn, and Mn heavy metals [6]. Chlorella vulgaris beads more efficient in heavy metal removal from sewage than free cells. The efficiency in Iron, Nickel, and Zinc removal was higher in the immobilized cells than free cells by 27, 23 and 25% respectively [7]. Objective of the study was to analyse the potential of immobilized algae(in alginate) for removal of Lead (Pb 2+ )from industrial effluent through batch studies. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Materials Algal bloom water samples were obtained from eleven fish ponds in Prof. OluOdeyemi’s Farm, Ilesa, Osun State (Nigeria). Wastewater (effluent) was collected from industrial discharge system around Ile–Ife, Osun State (Nigeria). Agar agar (Oxoid) was purchased from Sigma Aldrich and other chemicals used were of analytical grade. Paper ID: NOV162665 DOI: 10.21275/NOV162665 372