Immobilization of Spirulina subsalsa for removal of triphenyltin from water.

Spirulina subsalsa is immobilized with alginate, which increases the growth rate, chlorophyll content, phycocyanin content and nitrate reductase activity. Immobilized Spirulina subsalsa with alginate increases absorption of triphenyltin chloride (TPT). The phycocyanin of immobilized Spirulina subsalsa is more sensitive to TPT then free alga. The immobilization enhances the toxic effect of TPT on nitrate reductase activity of Spirulina subsalsa. Experimental results demonstrate that the immobilization of Spirulina subsalsa is feasible. Removal of TPT by immobilized Spirulina subsalsa reaches 68%. Biosorption mechanism of TPT by Spirulina subsalsa should be further studied.