A theoretical and experimental study on removal of nickel, lead, and zinc metals from wastewater using Chlorella vulgaris microalgae

Among various pollutants, heavy metals are highly regarded because of various harmful and sometimes irreparable effects. The effects of initial concentration of metal, pH and temperature on the efficiency of heavy metals of lead, zinc and nickel removal was investigated through culture of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae. The studies showed that the highest percentages of removal of lead, zinc and nickel metals were 93.2%, 95.6% and 94.2% respectively at initial concentration of 1 ppm, pH = 6 and 30°C for all three metals. At the removal efficiency of 90%, the optimal values of the three parameters were determined for each of the three metals. The optimal conditions were as follows: maximum initial concentration (Cimax) of 35 ppm, pH = 6 and temperature of 26°C for lead metal; Cimax = 50 ppm, pH = 6.3 and temperature of 27°C for zinc metal, and Cimax = 25 ppm, pH = 6.6 and temperature of 26°C for nickel metal. © 2020 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.