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This paper presents the results obtained from the analyses performed on seaweed and paper made with algal biomass addition using different analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and the ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and gamma-ray emission (PIGE). The analyzed samples consisted of seaweed from the Ulva rigida C. Agardh 1823 species collected from the Black Sea coast, Romania, and filter papers with different mass addition (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8%) of seaweed. Seaweed introduced into the paper can dislodge some of the cellulose fibers, helping to reduce the amount of stranded seaweed that is currently not valorized in Romania. From the analysis of the results, it results that no potential toxic elements have been identified in the algae structure and the algal biomass could be used in the filter paper manufacture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results obtained from the analyses of wastewater samples with a high heavy metal content, resulted from the metallurgical industry, on which the algal mass biosorption technique has been applied in order to demonstrate its suitability for cleaning wastewater containing heavy metals. Biosorption is a process of accumulation of heavy metals from aqueous solutions through a metabolic controlled system or through different physicochemical processes. This wastewater treatment technique is an alternative perspective method and, compared to conventional heavy metal removal techniques, is an easy and cost-effective process. Wastewater samples were analyzed by spectrophotometric method, for the heavy metals Zn2+, Cu2+, Cr3+& Cr6+, Fe2+& Fe3+ initial concentrations and after application of the seaweed biosorption method. For this experiment five different algae species from Black Sea, Romania, were used: Ulva rigida, Punctaria latifolia, Pyropia leucosticta, Callithamnion corymbosum and Cladophora vagabunda. The experimental data processing was carried out in the laboratory of the INPOLDE research center, ReForm-UDJG multidisciplinary platform, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]