Biosorption: Application Strategies

Abstract

Over the past few years, intensifying research into metal biosorption elucidated the principles of this effective metal removal phenomenon. Biosorption can be cost-effective, particularly in environmental applications where low cost of the metal removal process is most desirable. Some efficient natural biosorbents have been identified that require little modification in their preparation. It is particularly in ecological aspects where biosorption can make a difference due to its anticipated low cost. The application aspect is what makes the research and development work in this novel area exciting and worthwhile. While the biosorption process could be used even with a relatively low degree of understanding of its metal-binding mechanisms, better understanding will make for its more effective and optimized applications. If the biosorption processes were to be used as an alternative in the wastewater treatment scheme, the regeneration of the biosorbent may be crucially important for keeping the process cost down and to open the possibility of recovering the metals extracted from liquid phase. For this process it is desirable to desorb the sorbed metals and to regenerate the biosorbent material for another cycle of application.