Effect of Biosorbent Dose in the Removal of Phosphate on Marine Algae Biomass

Biosorbent dose is one of the most important parameters used in establishing the experimental conditions of a biosorption process. The adequate choice of the optimal value of this parameter allows both obtaining a high efficiency of the biosorption process, as well as achieving it in economic conditions. In this study, the influence of biosorbent dose on the retention of phosphate ions on the algae biomass (Ulva intestinalis) was examined. Thus, for a given initial concentration of phosphate ions (47.60 and 95.16 mg/L) and an initial pH of 5.0, the variation of the biosorbent dose between 2.0 and 20.0 g/L causes a decrease in biosorption capacity of at least 75%. In addition, the variation of other experimental parameters (final pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity and total dissolved salts of the solution obtained after biosorption) was also analyzed. The detailed analysis of the experimental results allowed the choice of a biosorbent dose leading to a high efficiency of the biosorption of phosphate ions, and to the minimization of the secondary effects.