Background and Objectives: Azolla Filiculoides as a non-living fern was used in a batch system to remove "Basic Blue 3", which is a cationic dye and a carcinogenic agent.
Materials and Methods: We used a batch system by applying certain concentrations of dye contaminant and in the presence of a certain amount of adsorbent under optimum conditions. The main groups presenting in the Azolla cell wall were evaluated by acidification and alkalization of Azolla's media and then potentiometric titration with standard basic and acidic solutions.
Results: It was observed that the removal efficiency of dye using non-living Azolla in accordance with the Langmuir isotherms was 82% for the initial dye concentration of 200 mg/lit under reaction conditions consisting of contact time 6 h, pH= 6, temperature 25 ˚C, and dose 5 g/lit. Q_max (maximum uptake capacity) by the activated Azolla at three temperatures 5, 25 and 50 ˚C was 0.732, 0.934, and 1.176 mmol/g respectively. ΔG (Gibbs free energy changes) was obtained for these temperatures as -0.457, -0.762, and -1.185 kJ/mol respectively.
Conclusion: Removal of basic blue 3 using Azolla is an economically and effective method.