HEAVY METALS TOLERANCE BY S. PLATENSIS

Abstract: Excessive discharge of wastewater into natural water bodies cause water pollution, due to disturbed self-revival systems. Heavy metals in the sewage have affected the ecosystem to the extent that it is a detriment of humans, as it is difficult to eliminate them and instead, they accumulate in the organisms. Use of dry biomass of Spirulina platensis has proven to precipitate and biosorb heavy metals. This study aimed to check the tolerance of wet biomass of S. platensis to various heavy metals usually associated with wastewater. Preliminary experiments were conducted to standardise and optimise the growth conditions of S. platensis, in turn establishing a growth curve. Special emphasis was made on checking the tolerance of the microalgae to mercury [Hg (II)], for other organisms seldom grow in the presence of mercury.