Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater by using biosorbents from marine algae - A cost effective new technology

Heavy metal pollution from industrial wastewater is a worldwide environment al issue. Biosorption of heavy metals by using biosorbents derived from var ious types of biomass has been shown to be effective for the uptake of heav y metal ions. In this study, biosorbents derived from the biomass of a grou p of marine macroalgae were used for the removal and recovery of heavy meta l ions from aqueous solutions.: Results indicated that the biosorbents have high uptake capacities and affinities for a number of heavy metal ions. Th e uptake capacities of the biosorbents were in the range of 1.0 to 1.5mmol. g(-1) for divalent heavy metal ions. The kinetics of the uptake process was fast and the process can be used in both batch and fixed-bed operations. I t appears that the biosorption process by using biosorbents from marine mac roalgae can be an efficient and cost effective technology for the treatment of heavy metal containing wastewater.