The removal of heavy metal ions by the nonliving biomass of aquatic macrophytes was investigated. The work involved studies of physical and biochemical properties of the materials, batch sorption experiments carried out in agitation flasks, and continuous runs in a packed bed column at laboratory scale. Results showed that the dried biomass of Potamogeton lucens, Salvinia herzogii, and Eichhornia crassipes were excellent biosorbents for Cr(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II). The sorption mechanism by these biomaterials was found to proceed mainly by ion exchange reactions between the metal ions and the cationic weak exchanger groups present on the plant surface. Sorption followed the Langmuir isotherm, and maximum metal uptakes values (independently of the metal ion species) were attained at about 1.5 mequiv g-1 for P. lucens, 0.9 mequiv g-1 for S. herzogii, and 0.7 mequiv g-1 for E. crassipes. Advantages and disadvantages found in the use of these natural adsorbents for heavy metals ions present in industrial wastewaters are envisaged.

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One of the consequences of industrial food production activities is the generation of high volumes of waste, whose disposal can be problematic, since it occupies large spaces, and when poorly managed can pose environmental and health risks for the population. The rice industry is an important activity and generates large quantities of waste. The main solid wastes generated in the rice production cycle include straw, husk, ash, bran and broken rice. As such, the aim of this article is to present a review of this cycle, the waste generated and the identification of opportunities to use them. Owing to impacts that can be minimised with the application of rice husk ash as a by-product, this work is focused on the recycling of the main wastes. In order to achieve that, we performed theoretical research about the rice production cycle and its wastes. The findings point to the existence of an environmentally suitable use for all wastes from the rice production cycle. As rice, bran and broken rice have their main use in the food industry, the other wastes are highly studied in order to find solutions instead of landfilling. Straw can be used for burning or animal feeding. The husk can be used for poultry farming, composting or burning. In the case of burning, it has been used as biomass to power reactors to generate thermal or electrical energy. This process generates rice husk ash, which shows potential to be used as a by-product in many different applications, but not yet consolidated.