Removal of radioactive cesium from an aqueous solution via bioaccumulation by microalgae and magnetic separation.

ABSTRACT: We evaluated the potential sequestration of cesium (Cs⁺) by microalgae under heterotrophic growth conditions in an attempt to ultimately develop a system for treatment of radioactive wastewater. Thus, we examined the effects of initial Cs⁺ concentration (100-500 μM), pH (5-9), K⁺ and Na⁺ concentrations (0-20 mg/L), and different organic carbon sources (acetate, glycerol, glucose) on Cs⁺ removal. Our initial comparison of nine microalgae indicated that Desmodesmus armatus SCK had removed the most Cs⁺ under various environmental conditions. Addition of organic substrates significantly enhanced Cs⁺ uptake by D. armatus, even in the presence of a competitive cation (K⁺). We also applied magnetic nanoparticl

SUBMITTER: Kim I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6626050 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature