Binding of metals in solution by Chlorella vulgaris

The adsorption of metals by microorganisms such as algae, is a subject of great interest due to the negative effect of the accumulation of these toxic metals in the food chain. This algae capacity has some very practical useful applications in the recovery of metals coming from industrial wastewaters and in the purification of contaminated waters. A study of the binding capacity of five toxic metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in solution by Chlorella vulgaris has been made. Analytical determinations of these metals were performed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.