A Novel Use for Waste Algal Biomass After Lipid Extraction

Removal of Cu (II) and Pb (II) from aqueous solution by waste algal biomass obtained as a byproduct of biodiesel production was investigated.   Ethyl acetate and hexane were the two solvents used on the algae during the lipid extraction phase of the biodiesel production.  Uptake efficiencies varied by solvent used, drying techniques, aqueous pH levels, initial metal load and biomass concentrations as well as surface functional groups.  Inactive waste biomass was characterized by surface area, infrared spectroscopy, and potentiometric titration.  The biosorption data of both Pb (II) and Cu (II) was analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms.