Fourier Transform Infrared Spectral (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Micrographic (SEM) studies of heavy metal, Chromium (VI) treated seaweed biomass

ABSTRACT Dried biomass of three seaweeds namely Ulvafasciata, Sargassumwightii and Gracilariacorticata were treated with or without heavy metal Chromium (VI) at 100 ppm concentration. These samples were subjected to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectral (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) analysis. The FTIR analysis for surface functional groups of pretreated seaweed biomass revealed the presence of ?OH, -NH, C-O, C-O-S, CH2,CH3C-O-S and ether sulphate C6 linkvibrations were significantly increased or decreased in wave number or missed from the band in Cr(VI) treated samples. It was due to the predominant interaction of that functional groups with the heavy metal, Cr (VI). Similarly the SEM micrograph of pretreated and Cr (VI) treated biomass showed some morphological differences. These results led to conclude that seaweed biomass could be used as biosorbent to remove heavy metals from waste water and industrial effluents.