Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: This research was aimed at evaluating the capacity of Mercury removal and recovery using live biomass of Chlorella sp. immobilized in scourer (Luffa cylindrica). Methods/Statistical Analysis: The algal biomass was bioaugmented in photobioreactors with 4 mM Agrimins during 20 days in constant agitation. For the immobilization of the microalga, scourer fragments were used. The mercury removal and/or desorption capacity was determined during 24 h, and desorption was carried out by acid digestion. An ANOVA and the Tukey test for significant differences (p-value ≤ 0.05) were performed with the results in the InfoStat software. Findings: an average immobilization of Chlorella sp. of 1.69g of algal cells/scourer fragment after 20 days of incubation. The statistical analysis showed significant statistical differences between all removal times, presenting the highest averages at 24 h of exposure, with a Mercury removal of 98.58% and a desorption of 82.61%. Likewise, in the lowest concentrations the microalga showed greater capacity of Mercury sorption, while at the highest concentrations the desorption of said heavy metal was greater. Improvements/Applications: Chlorella in bioremediation techniques of heavy metals are positioned as a biotechnological alternative, which thanks to its high rate of removal and desorption allows the ecological disposition of the contaminant.

Keywords: Immobilization, Mercury, Microalga, Scourer