Comparision of Langmuir and Freundlich Equilibriums in Cr, Cu and Ni Adsorption by Sargassum

Heavy metals are present in different types of industrial effluents, being responsible for environmental pollution. Biosorption is a promising alternative method to treat industrial effluents, mainly because of its low cost and high metal binding capacity. In this work application of Langmuir and Freundlich sorption models for chromium, copper and nickel biosorption process by Sargassum seaweed biomass was studied in batch system. The work considered the effects of some important parameters such as retention time and initial concentration on remained concentration of heavy metals. Dried Sargassum was contacted with metal solution on different retention times (10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 min) and variation of initial concentration (10, 25, 50, 75 and100mg/l) at constant pH and temperature. The obtained charts were linear for Langmuir and Freundlich equilibriums and their slopes and y-intercepts were calculated (Constants a, b, n, k). Results showed that the constants were in a same range; therefore Langmuir and Freundlich sorption models were in good agreement with experimental results.