Two-step adsorption model for Pb ion accumulation at the algae-water interface in the presence of fulvic acid

The effects of fulvic acid (FA) on heavy metal bioaccumulation by algae have been extensively studied, but the quantitative description on its adsorption behavior is not elaborately illustrated. In the study, the two-step adsorption model is firstly proposed to describe the adsorption of Pb by algae in the presence of FA (R2 > 0.984), which is characterized with two-plateaus in the biosorption curves. The first plateau in the curve represents a monolayer adsorption process of free Pb2+; while the second reveals a multilayer adsorption process of Pb-FA binding to those adsorbed Pb by algae, and the bonding material was called as ternary complex of algae-Pb-(FA-Pb). The formation of the ternary complex caused a sharp increase of the amount of adsorbed Pb by algae which was measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and a decrease of the toxicity of Pb to algae verified with SEM and TEM images. The ternary phase diagram showed FA could participate in the formation of ternary complexes at very low concentration. The study is important for a comprehensive understanding of the metal-microalgae interaction and its biogeochemical cycle in surface waters. [Display omitted] •The two-step adsorption model well fits the adsorption curve of Pb and FA by algae.•Pb was adsorbed by algae in the form of free ions at the first layer.•Algae adsorbed Pb-FA complex through adsorbed Pb2+ at the second layer.•FA plays a completion role at the first layer and a ligand role at the second layer.