Repeated removal of copper by alginate beads and the enhancement by microalgae

Alginate beads and those immobilised with Chlorella vulgaris were suitable for repeated adsorption/desorption cycling for copper under batch conditions. Consistently high copper removal (>95%) and recovery (100% using 0.1 M HCl) were achieved in five consecutive cycles. Majority copper was adsorbed by alginate matrix, not the cells. Freely suspended cells were difficult to handle in repeated cycling, and given inconsistent copper removal and recovery. Heat killed cells performed the same as initially live cells after the first cycle.