Spectroscopic and scanning electron microscopy studies of bioaccumulation of pollutants by algae.

The ability of Chlorella species and two other algal blooms collected locally to take up Cu(+2) and Ni(+2) was investigated using infrared and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data. The percentage of metal uptake was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy. The effects of pH and initial concentrations of metal ions on bioaccumulation were examined. The uptake of methyl orange dye by Chlorella species was also studied using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms.