Is biosorption suitable for decontamination of metal-bearing wastewaters? A critical review on the state-of-the-art of biosorption processes and future directions

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2015-09, Vol.160, p.283-296
• Main Authors: Vijayaraghavan, K., Balasubramanian, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomass; Biosorption; Decontamination; Environmental management; Green roof; Humans; Metals; Metals, Heavy - chemistry; Packed column; Sorption; Waste Water - chemistry; Wastewater treatment; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Purification - methods; Water quality; Water treatment plants
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.06.030

For the past few decades, biosorption has been widely investigated for the removal of different contaminants in aqueous media. A number of biomasses of different genre have been identified to possess good biosorption capacity. Insights into biosorption mechanisms have been provided by various researchers in order to develop a fundamental scientific understanding of the biosorption process. However, biosorption has not been employed widely for its large-scale commercial applications. The key factors that affect the growth and evolution of biosorption as a practical technology for decontamination of wastewaters include, (1) lack of investigations on multi-component solutions and wastewaters with complex matrix effects, (2) incomplete understanding of physico-chemical characteristics of biomasses of different types, (3) lack of studies to improve the performance of biosorbents through surface functionalization, and (4) non-integration of biosorption in wastewater/water treatment plants. This critical review aims to identify and discuss the practical limitations of biosorption and provide future research directions to make biosorption a technologically viable process with emphasis on selection and modification of biomasses to suit desired treatment applications, identify appropriate operation modes for large-scale applications of biosorption, and perform techno-economic evaluation of overall biosorption processes. [Display omitted] •This critical review focuses on application of biosorption to real wastewaters.•A detailed procedure to prepare practical biosorbents is suggested.•Possible applications of biosorption in other research areas are reviewed.