Comparative Study of Biosorption of Copper(II) by Lipid Extracted and Non-Extracted Chlorella sorokinianaAlgal biomass is currently being pursued as a source for conversion to jet fuel because of its renewable, biodegradable, and nontoxic fuel properties. To reduce fresh water consumption used in the production of biomass, research has shifted to growing algae on wastewater. Algal biomass grown on wastewater is noncompetitive to feed sources. In this research, the lipid extracted algal biomass of Chlorella sorokiniana is repurposed as a biosorbent to remove copper(II) from wastewater. A comparative recovery study of Cu(II) is presented with whole algal biomass and lipid extracted algae (LEA). The Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy results demonstrate the binding types of ion exchange electrostatic interaction with various surface sites of carboxyl, hydroxyl, and metal groups. The Cu capture maximum for the whole biomass and LEA is capable of removing similar quantities of Cu(II) with a sorption-desorption life of six cycles. Hence, the LEA is a viable substitute for whole algae as a means to remove Cu from wastewater while preserving the lipid for conversion into biodiesel, jet fuel, or the like. Extrapolation of these results could provide justification for using LEA as a pretreatment for heavy metal removal from wastewater, whether generated from industrial or municipal processes. Cu exposure poses health risks in the short-and long-term with symptoms including gastrointestinal distress to liver or kidney damage; thus, the Environmental Protection Agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 has limited Cu exposure through physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substances or matter in water. The maximum contaminant level goal for Cu is 1.3 mg/L or 1.3 ppm (http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminatns/basicinformation/ copper.cfm).Scientists have performed experiments with various biological species to remove Cu from wastewater (Tab. 1). Bacteria from three different species have shown promise to remove Cu, but only at initial Cu concentrations <150 ppm [4][5][6]. With higher initial Cu concentrations, two different species of the Agaricus genus of mushrooms were studied over the past three years. The research determined that Cu removal varied from 2 to 32 mg Cu/g mushroom with initial Cu concentrations of 20-250 ppm [7,8]. To further increase the removal concentration of Cu, researchers have shown that waste sludge can remove up to 800 mg Cu/g sludge [9].With the demand for cheap and environmentally transparent sources of jet fuel, algal biomass is being researched and produced in record quantities [12]. The bio-jet fuel blend will reduce sulfur emission, particulate matters, and will mitigate greenhouse gas emission [13]. Algae exhibit several advantages over other energy crops, such as higher photosynthetic efficiency, higher biomass productivity and lipid content, and faster growth rate [14]. The lipid extracted algae (LEA) is considered a waste byproduct of making bio...