Evaluation of various isotherm models, and metal sorption potential of cyanobacterial mats in single and multi-metal systems

Isotherm curves for the biosorption of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) by the biomass of five different cyanobacterial mats (Mat # 1–5) showed concave shape and plateau. Suitability of ten different isotherm models was evaluated for the equilibrium modeling of these isotherm curves, however, only the Toth model was found appropriate. Mat # 2, dominated by Phormidium sp., was identified as an excellent metal biosorbent because: (i) the Toth estimated maximum biosorption capacity (mmol g−1) of Mat # 2 for Pb(II) (1.028), Cu(II) (0.696) and Cd(II) (0.549) was the highest among the tested mats and compares favourably with Langmuir estimated metal sorption capacity of many seaweeds, regarded as the best metal biosorbents, (ii) Na+, K+ and Ca2+ did not substantially inhibit the biosorption of the test metals, (iii) and total metal sorption ability of Mat # 2 increased or remained unaffected in binary and ternary metal systems.