TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL OF MICROALGAE Chlorella vulgaris FOR THE REMOVAL OF PESTICIDE CHLORPYRIFOS

Abstract

The purpose of conduction of this study is to determine the potential of micro algae Chlorella vulgaris for the removal of a pesticide; Chlorpyrifos, from pesticide contaminated water. Two sets of samples were prepared in water and BG11 media with two different concentrations of pesticide, which were taken to check the effect of pesticide concentration on biosorption potential of microalgae. Each sample contained known amounts of algae that was 0.6 g per 100 ml of solution. Before analysis pH of each sample was measured. The algae used for the experimental work was collected and pretreated according to standard protocols. HPLC-MS analysis of each sample showed different peaks in chromatograph which showed remaining amount of pesticide in samples. The results showed the maximum biosorption of the opesticides at the initial concentration of 2 μl as compared to initial concentration of 10 μl, when same conditions of living and dead biomass were compared. These experiments proved that microalgae have a great potential for the biosorption of a single pesticide. An average of 96% for the removal of pesticide was obtained that showed that microalgae are very efficient biosorption microorganisms.