Industry/University Cooperative Research Activity Grants: Removal and Selective Recovery of Heavy Metal Ions from Industrial Wastewater

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In previous research it was established that non-living algal biomass immobilized in polymer beads effectively absorbs or binds a number of toxic metal ions from polluted process effluents. It is proposed to continue this investigation by: 1) continuing, the screening of algal genera or species for metal ion removal and recovery potential; 2) secondarily, extending the screening for metal ion binding to other cells, particularly, higher plant cells; and 3) extending primary efforts to identify the specific functional groups on the algal cell walls that permit metal ion binding. New investigation results will provide valuable insight into the application of algal polymers to the removal and the recovery of particular toxic, precious, and strategic metal ions from polluted-, geothermal-, and mining-water, and from industrial process streams.