dc.description.abstract | Biosorption is an effective method for removing heavy metal ions from wastewater. This study utilized periphyton as biosorbent of Pb(II) and Ni(II) from single solutions and studied the influence of time, biosorbent weight, and concentrations of heavy metals on biosorption capacity and efficiency of Pb(II) and Ni(II). After 24 hours of adsorption, the concentration of Pb(II) left in water was 0.05 mg/L and Ni(II) 0.03 mg/L. The maximum biosorption capacity of periphyton for Pb metal was 1.97 mg/g and for Ni metal was 1.92 mg/g. Kinetics of Pb(II) and Ni(II) biosorption followed pseudo second-order equation with the value of k2=4.5×10-3 g.mg-1.min-1 for Pb metal and 22.6×10-3 g.mg-1.min-1 for Ni metal with determination coefficients (R2) of 0.97 for both metal ions. Infrared spectrum of peryphyton biomass before and after adsorption of Pb and Ni metals show the similarity of functional groups with Spirogyra. This study suggests that periphyton is potential as biosorbent of Pb and Ni metals. | en |