ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Removal of heavy metals from drinking water has been a long term-challenge. During the recent era of environmental protection, the use of microorganisms for the recovery of metals from contaminated water has generated growing attention. The present study focused on isolating algae from the areas in Matlab Upazila in southeastern Bangladesh, with elevated concentrations of arsenic in groundwater and studies on the removal of arsenic by algae from contaminated water. The algae was grown in the synthetic water with a composition that is similar to the average groundwater in the region around Matlab Upazila containing 50 μg/L and 100 μg/L arsenic exposed to 16 hrs light period to get substantial biomass. The major population of algae from the arsenic contaminated area has been identified as green alga, Chlamydomonas. The growth rate and arsenic removal was monitored in the presence of high and low phosphorus content at pH 5 and 7 in the media over a period of time up to 45 days. The alga was able to grow at concentrations of arsenic up to 1 mg/L in the media. Results from this study shows that growth rate increased with time. Media containing high phosphorus content and at pH 7, alga could be able to remove 80% of the arsenic with initial concentration of 50 μg/L arsenic; whereas at 100 μg/L arsenic the reduction was up to 50%. Chlamydomonas was found to have capabilities of endurance against high concentration of arsenic and accumulation of arsenic that has a potential application for the removal of arsenic from contaminated water.
