Callitriche cophocarpa biomass as a potential low-cost biosorbent for trivalent chromium

The present study focused on the use of the dry mass of the macrophyte Callitriche cophocarpa as an effective biosorbent for chromium removal from concentrated solutions, typical for industrial effluents. In order to evaluate the usability of C. cophocarpa as the Cr(III) sorbent, its detailed physicochemical characterization has been performed as well as the preliminary adsorption studies. The biosorbent was characterized by specific surface area (SSA), porosity, total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic content as well as the cation exchange capacity (CEC), dominant exchangeable cations and anion exchange capacity (AEC), point of zero charge (pHpzc) and buffering capacity. The effect of the initial chromium concentration, solution pH and co-existing anions on the sorption effectiveness have been investigated. Based on theoretical isotherm models, the maximum adsorption capacity of the dry C. cophocarpa has been determined as 77.1 mg Cr(III)/g. Finally, the strength of Cr-binding onto the plant biomass has been evaluated using the BCR extraction method, stating that chromium was strongly and – under environmental conditions – irreversibly bound to the plant biomass. •The macrophyte Callitriche cophocarpa has been examined as Cr(III) biosorbent.•Determined biosorption capacity was as high as 77 mg Cr/g of dry mass of the sorbent.•Sorption capacity of Callitriche toward Cr is even higher than of other commercial absorbents.•Ion exchange, complexation and precipitation were regarded as main binding mechanisms.•Cr was strongly and, under environmental conditions, irreversibly bound to biomass.