Abstract

Biosorption refers to a physicochemical process where substances are removed from the solution by a biological material (live or dead) via adsorption processes governed by mechanisms such as surface complexation, ion exchange, and precipitation. This study aimed to evaluate the adsorption of Zn2+ in seawater using the microalgal biomass of Tetraselmis marina AC16-MESO “in vivo” and “not alive” at different concentrations of Zn2+ (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg L−1 ) at 72 h. Analysis was carried out by using the Langmuir isotherms and by evaluating the autofluorescence from microalgae. The maximum adsorption of Zn2+ by the Langmuir model using the Qmax parameter in the living microalgal biomass (Qmax = 0.03051 mg g−1 ) was more significant than the non-living microalgal biomass of T. marine AC16-MESO (Qmax = 0.02297 mg g−1 ). Furthermore, a decrease in fluorescence was detected in cells from T. marina AC16-MESO, in the following order: Zn2+ (0 < 20 < 5 < 10) mg L−1 . Zn2+ was adsorbed quickly by living cells from T. marine AC16-MESO compared to the non-living microalgal biomass, with a decrease in photosystem II activities from 0 to 20 mg L−1 Zn2+ in living cells.