Description of two‐metal biosorption equilibria by Langmuir‐type models

Abstract A biosorbent prepared from Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed biomass, FCAN2, was examined for its sorption capacity. Equilibrium batch sorption studies were performed using two‐matal systems containing either (Cu + Zn), (Cu + Cd), or (Zn + Cd). In the evaluation of the two‐metal sorption system performance, simple isotherm curves had to be replaced by three‐dimensional sorption isotherm surfaces. In order to describe the isotherm surfaces mathematically, three Langmuir‐type models were evaluated. The apparent one‐parameter Langmuir constant ( b ) was used to quantify FCAN2 “affinity” for one metal in the presence of another one. The uptake of Zn decreased drastically when Cu or Cd were present. The uptake of Cd wasmuch more sensitive to the presence of Cu than to that of Zn. The presence of Cd and Zn alter the “affinity” of FCAN2 for Cu the least at high Cu equilibrium concentrations. The mathematical model of the two‐metal sorption system enabled quantitative estimation of one‐metal (bio)sorption inhibition due to the influence of a second metal. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons Inc.