Modelling of fluoride sorption from aqueous solution using green algae impregnated with zirconium by response surface methodology

Abstract

In the present work, an economical, more selective and a bio-compatible fluoride removal technique has been developed by using zirconium impregnated Chlorella protothecoides and Nannochloropsis oculata, which represents a combination of biological and physiochemical methods. The optimization of the effect of various factors such as pH, initial fluoride concentration, biosorbent dose and contact time was carried using a central composite design of response surface methodology. A maximum removal of fluoride ions of 92.2% was observed using zirconium-doped C. protothecoides. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of the adsorption process were studied. The Langmuir isotherm model well expressed fluoride biosorption onto zirconium-doped N. oculata and the Freundlich isotherm model fitted well the data of zirconium-doped C. protothecoides. The correlation coefficients indicate that the fluoride biosorption onto zirconium-doped N. oculata, and C. protothecoides biosorbents correlated well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The existence of co-anions decreased fluoride removal from aqueous solution. The biosorbent was regenerated using NaOH, distilled water and HCl and used for four cycles.