Abstract
The capability of cadmium(II) (Cd(II)) uptakes by calcium alginate (CaAlg) prepared from sodium alginate was investigated. The CaAlg hydrogel beads (gel beads) and the CaAlg dehydrated beads (dried gel beads) are capable of Cd(II) uptake. When the mass of the CaAlg beads used in a batch adsorption method was increased, the residual concentration of Cd(II) in the solution decreased; the Cd(II) adsorption capacity of the CaAlg gel beads was consistently higher when compared to the dehydrated beads. This indicates that macromolecular changes took place during the dehydration process. The CaAlg gelation and dehydration mechanism models were discussed in order to explain the biosorption of Cd(II) by the gel beads and dehydrated beads.
