Concurrent sorption of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) by Oscillatoria angustissima as a function of pH in binary and ternary metal solutions

In a ternary system, increasing Co(II) concentration exhibited protection against the inhibitory effect of Cu(II) on Zn(II) sorption. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of Zn(II) and Cu(II) on Co(II) sorption was additive. The model equation for metal interactions was found to be valid within the design space.