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Selected biofilms attached to granular activated carbon significantly enhance metal recovery through biosorption. To describe uptake of five metals, the Freundlich isotherm model was found superior to the Langmuir. Calculated diffusion coefficients through the biofilm indicated a dependence between diffusivity and metal ion concentration.

Biofilms consisting of a matrix of exopolysaccharide and microorganisms developed over granular activated carbon (GAC) enhance metal uptake from solution several times more than that achieved by GAC alone. By specifically employing GAC, there is also the opportunity of developing biofilm/GAC systems that can both entrap metals and also adsorb, and ultimately degrade, polluting organic residues such as pesticides. Targets for this type of process could be dump site leachates, mine tailings and other industrial wastes. The conditions under which the biofilm is developed, including pH and temperature have, therefore, been studied in terms of subsequent influence on metal bisorption.

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