Phycoremediation of Heavy Metals by Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Spirogyra communis

Abstract

In the present study, the phycoremediation capacities of live green algae, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Spirogyra communis were evaluated for toxic heavy metals, Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cr(IV) from electroplating industrial effluent and synthetic solution. Both the algae proved efficient biological vectors for heavy metal uptake. Phycoremediation studies conducted on industrial effluent revealed that 100% Pb was removed from 20% effluent concentration in 20 days by both algae. Experimental results revealed that Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Spirogyra communis had maximum accumulation of Pb(II) followed by Cu(II) and Cr(IV) after 20 days of exposure. The growth performance of the two algae measured in terms of Chl a content was maximally reduced by Cr (>30 mg L-1) while it was enhanced by low levels of Pb and Cu (<50 mg L-1).