Removal of Cadmium and Other Toxic Metals from Water: Thermophiles and New Biotechnologies

Resumo

New experiments were carried out on testing the biomass of thermophilic and acidophilic algae Galdieria sulphuraria for removal of toxic metals cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) from the aquatic environment. After incubation of the biomass of these algae in an aqueous medium the concentrations of the metals (cadmium and others) decreased, more significantly for copper and lead than for cadmium and nickel. The results of the experiments were discussed from the perspective of efforts towards innovative biotechnologies (ecotechnologies) for water purification.