Native and magnetically modified Ulva rigida biomass for dye removal

Fifteen macroalgae collected at the Gulf of Saros, Turkey, were tested for the dye adsorption. Best results were obtained with Ulva rigida biomass. Magnetic modification of U. rigida biomass was performed with iron oxide microparticles synthesized by microwave irradiation of ferrous sulfate solution at high pH. Both native and magnetically modified U. rigida biomass efficiently adsorbed malachite green and safranin O used as model dyes; high maximum adsorption capacity (up to 227 mg/g) was achieved. In addition, combined adsorption/degradation malachite green removal in the presence of hydrogen peroxide employing also peroxidase-like activity of magnetically modified U. rigida biomass resulted in complete dye elimination in 24 hours.