Biosorption of Zn(II) from Seawater Solution by the Microalgal Biomass of Tetraselmis marina AC16-MESO

Biosorption refers to a physicochemical process where substances are removed from the solution by a biological material (live or dead) via adsorption processes governed by mechanisms such as surface complexation, ion exchange, and precipitation. This study aimed to evaluate the adsorption of Zn in seawater using the microalgal biomass of AC16-MESO "in vivo" and "not alive" at different concentrations of Zn (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg L ) at 72 h. Analysis was carried out by using the Langmuir isotherms and by evaluating the autofluorescence from microalgae. The maximum adsorption of Zn by the Langmuir model using the Q parameter in the living microalgal biomass (Q = 0.03051 mg g ) was more significant than the non-living microalgal biomass of AC16-MESO (Q = 0.02297 mg g ). Furthermore, a decrease in fluorescence was detected in cells from AC16-MESO, in the following order: Zn (0 < 20 < 5 < 10) mg L . Zn was adsorbed quickly by living cells from AC16-MESO compared to the non-living microalgal biomass, with a decrease in photosystem II activities from 0 to 20 mg L Zn in living cells.