Gracilaria waste biomass (sampah rumput laut) as a bioresource for selenium biosorption

Roberts, David A., Paul, Nicholas A., Dworjanyn, Symon A., Hu, Yi, Bird, Michael I., and de Nys, Rocky (2015) Gracilaria waste biomass (sampah rumput laut) as a bioresource for selenium biosorption. Journal of Applied Phycology, 27 (1). pp. 611-620.

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Abstract

Iron-based sorbents (IBS) are a promising tool for the removal of toxic metalloids, in particular, selenium (Se), from mining waste water. However, a barrier to the application of IBS is the absence of a sustainable and cost-effective substrate for their production. We demonstrate that IBS can be produced from the waste biomass that remains after the commercial extraction of agar from farmed seaweed (Gracilaria; Rhodophyta). The biosorbent is most effective when the waste Gracilaria biomass is treated with a ferric solution, then converted to biochar through slow pyrolysis. The resulting IBS is capable of binding both selenite (SeIV) and selenate (SeVI) from waste water. The rate of selenate (SeVI) biosorption, the predominant and most intractable form of Se in industrial waste water, is minimally affected by temperature. Similarly, the capacity of the biosorbent for Se (q max) is unaffected by pH. The q max values for the optimised biosorbent range from 2.60 to 2.72 mg SeVI g−1 biochar between pH 2.5 and 8.0. Gracilaria waste is a sustainable substrate for IBS production and can be used to treat a costly waste problem. The use of Gracilaria waste as a substrate for waste water treatment could simultaneously improve the sustainability and profitability of seaweed farming by valorizing a low-value waste stream.

Item ID: 33499
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1573-5176
Keywords: selenium, bioasorption, Gracilaria, biochar
Funders: Advanced Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC), Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre Scheme, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
Projects and Grants: MBD Energy Research and Development program
Date Deposited: 24 Jun 2014 01:17
FoR Codes: 10 TECHNOLOGY > 1002 Environmental Biotechnology > 100203 Bioremediation @ 80%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0607 Plant Biology > 060701 Phycology (incl Marine Grasses) @ 20%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960912 Urban and Industrial Water Management @ 100%
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