Biosorption: An Interplay between Marine Algae and Potentially Toxic Elements—A Review

Abstract

In recent decades, environmental pollution has emerged as a core issue, around the globe, rendering it of fundamental concern to eco-toxicologists, environmental biologists, eco-chemists, pathologists, and researchers from other fields. The dissolution of polluting agents is a leading cause of environmental pollution of all key spheres including the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere, among others. The widespread occurrence of various pollutants including toxic heavy metals and other emerging hazardous contaminants is a serious concern. With increasing scientific knowledge, socioeconomic awareness, human health problems, and ecological apprehensions, people are more concerned about adverse health outcomes. Against this background, several removal methods have been proposed and implemented with the aim of addressing environmental pollution and sustainable and eco-friendly development. Among them, the biosorption of pollutants using naturally inspired sources, e.g., marine algae, has considerable advantages. In the past few years, marine algae have been extensively studied due to their natural origin, overall cost-effective ratio, and effectiveness against a broader pollutant range; thus, they are considered a potential alternative to the conventional methods used for environmental decontamination. Herein, an effort has been made to highlight the importance of marine algae as naturally inspired biosorbents and their role in biosorption. Biosorption mechanisms and factors affecting biosorption activities are also discussed in this review. The utilization of marine algae as a biosorbent for the removal of numerous potentially toxic elements has also been reviewed.

Optimisation and Modelling of Pb(II) and Cu(II) Biosorption onto Red Algae (Gracilaria changii) by Using Response Surface Methodology

“…Biosorption of heavy metals is an alternative economical method [22,23]. The criteria for selection of the ideal biosorbent should include its availability, non-toxicity, cost, metal-binding capacity, and regeneration [24]. Biosorbents that require minimal processing or are abundant in nature are considered low-cost materials [25].…”

“…Biosorption of heavy metals is an alternative economical method [22,23]. The criteria for selection of the ideal biosorbent should include its availability, non-toxicity, cost, metal-binding capacity, and regeneration [24]. Biosorbents that require minimal processing or are abundant in nature are considered low-cost materials [25].Macroalga biomass can potentially stabilise heavy metals due to their small uniform particle size and presence of different metal binding sites on their cell walls [26][27][28][29][30].…”

Selected pharmaceuticals removal using algae derived porous carbon: experimental, modeling and DFT theoretical insights

“…This may be due to its effectiveness towards removing toxic substances in wastewater and probably that it is environmentally friendly. 22,[35][36][37] Laminaria digitata (LD) is a brown algae belong to Laminariaceae family. The LD algae are one of the largest algae encountered on the European and North African coast.…”

Micro-Determination and Assessment of Selected Heavy Metal Ions in Foundation Creams Commonly Used in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia using ICP-OES

“…These high concentrations may be attributed to poor safety and regulatory measures adopted during the manufacturing process. It is evident from the present study, that cosmetic brands from most countries outside the European Union contain heavy metal concentrations in excess of the safe limit [1]. Though metals like lead and cadmium are not in use in most European Union countries, traces of these metals were detected as impurities, which may be due to follow-up processes post manufacture [18].…”

“…Heavy metals are ubiquitous in distribution and are natural components of the earth's crust. However, the increasing concentration of toxic heavy metals in the environment due to multifarious human activities is of primary concern [1]. Heavy metals, which are introduced in cosmetic products either to increase the value of the product, or are present as impurities or introduced illegally, pose risks to human health [2].Though the use of heavy metals in cosmetics is prohibited, trace amounts are permitted, as per cosmetic product group standards.…”