Statistical analysis, equilibrium and dynamic study on the biosorption of strontium ions on Chlorella vulgaris

The strontium (II) uptake on Chlorella vulgaris was studied in a batch system. The interactive effects of parameters such as pretreatment, initial pH, temperature, initial concentration, and biosorbent dosage, on the biosorption of strontium were analyzed using the response surface methodology. The biosorption capacity of the algae at optimal conditions of initial pH 7.4, biosorbent dosage 1 g/L, and initial strontium concentration 300 mg/L for Ca-treated biomass was found to be 98.33 mg/g. Investigation of the kinetics showed that the biosorption process follows the pseudo-second-order model. Also the equilibrium of the process showed a better fit by the Langmuir isotherm.