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Spectroscopic determination of U(VI) species sorbed by the Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) fresh water algae

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Abstract

The green algae Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) have the ability to bind high amounts of uranium(VI) in the pH range from 3 to 6. At pH 3 up to 20 % of the uranium is bound by the algal cells whereas the uranium removal by algal cell is almost complete at pH 5 and 6 in the concentration range of 4 × 10−4 to 1.6 × 10−3 M. Sorption capacities are in the range of 300–350 mg g−1 and 250–280 mg g−1 for fresh water and seawater respectively. Concentration of uranium was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) by using two different emission spectral lines at 409.014 and 424.167 nm. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) complimented with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) is used to characterize the binding sites of uranyl species on algal cell in the selected pH range. The micrographs show a regular distribution of U(VI) on the cell surface. Attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared (ATRFTIR) spectrum of Chlorella indicates that the binding of U(VI) either to phosphodiesters (P–O–aryl/P–O–alkyl), and combination of amine, secondary amine and imine = NH respectively. These sites in Chlorella groups are mainly responsible for the removal and binding of U(VI) by formation of organic and/or inorganic uranyl phosphates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mod-Labs, Analytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Trombay, Mumbai, India

    R. K. Singhal, H. Basu, M. V. Pimple, V. Manisha, M. K. T. Basan & A. V. R. Reddy

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  1. R. K. Singhal
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  2. H. Basu
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  3. M. V. Pimple
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  4. V. Manisha
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  5. M. K. T. Basan
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  6. A. V. R. Reddy
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Correspondence to R. K. Singhal.

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Singhal, R.K., Basu, H., Pimple, M.V. et al. Spectroscopic determination of U(VI) species sorbed by the Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) fresh water algae. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 298, 587–592 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2455-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2455-5

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