Lithium Biosorption by Arthrospira (Spirulina) Platensis Biomass

The biosorption of lithium from batch systems by Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis biomass was studied. Adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was investigated as a function of contact time, initial metals concentration and pH values. Lithium content in biomass was determined using Proton Induced Gamma Emission technique. The ability of spirulina biomass for lithium biosorption showed a maximum at the pH = 11. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 1.75 mg/g, while the kinetic data were best described using the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The IR spectrum of the Li-loaded biomass revealed that lithium ions could be primarily bind to –OH, –COOH, –NH, –NH₂, and –NH₃ groups present on biosorbent surface. Arthrospira platensis biomass could be applied as environmentally friendly sorbent for lithium removal from wastewater.