RÉSUMÉ

The aim of this research was to develop a low cost adsorbent for wastewater treatment. The prime objective of this study was to search for suitable freshwater filamentous algae that have a high heavy metal ion removal capability. This study evaluated the biosorption capacity from aqueous solutions of the green algae, Spirogyra irregularis, for nickel. In comparing the analysis of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, the adsorption of nickel by these two types of biosorbents showed a better fit with the Langmuir isotherm model. Biosorption of Ni (II) using S. irregularis was examined as a function of initial pH, heavy metal concentrations and temperature. The optimum pH value for the biosorption of nickel was 4.0. The high values of correlation coefficient (r² < 0.99) demonstrate equilibrium data concerning algal biomass which is well fitted in Langmuir isotherms model equations. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy reflect the binding of nickel on the biomass occurs through electrostatic and complexation reactions.