Copper removal with chemically reinforced Leptolyngbya sp. GUEco 1015

Leptolyngbya sp. GUEco 1015, an autochthonous cyanobacterial strains isolated from copper rich hydrocarbon contaminated waterbodies of Assam (India), was subjected to different grades of two acids and one salt to retrieve their copper (Cu2+) removal efficacy. Pretreated Leptolyngbya biomass when considered as an alternative adsorbent showed better removal rate of toxic Cu2+in vitro. The experimental data confirmed that the strain could remove up to 96.77 %, 92.1 % and 88.14 % of Cu2+ with 0.3 mM HCl, 0.1 mM CaCl2, and 0.1 mM CH3COOH in pretreated in-vitro condition respectively from 0.1 ppm of initial Cu2+ concentration. A number of negatively charged functional groups (FG) like O-H, -NH, CO, diketones, C-O stretching and phenols are known to be involved in the adsorption events during the process. The study thus revealed that pretreated biomass of Leptolyngbya sp. GUEco 1015 with 0.3 mM HCl is obviously a feasible alternative as compared to CaCl2 and CH3COOH for Cu2+ removal. [Display omitted] •Leptolyngbya sp. GUEco 1015 is a feasible solution to treat Cu2+ rich wastewater.•Biomass pretreated with acids and salt enhanced the rate of Cu2+ removal.•Up to 96.77 %, 92.1 % and 88.14 % removal of Cu2+ is possible with 0.3 mM HCl, 0.1 mM CaCl2, and 0.1 mM CH3COOH pretreated condition respectively.