Binary Biosorption of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) by Naturally Formed Biofilm Matrices

Abstract

Water pollution poses a significant ecological threat, contributing to the widespread degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Among the pollutants, heavy metals pose severe risks to both organisms and human health, emphasizing the urgent need for effective pollution control technologies. Biosorption presents a promising, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution to mitigate heavy metal contamination. Biofilms, consisting of microbial communities, have emerged as potential biosorbents for heavy metals. Since heavy metals can exist as cations and anions concurrently in aquatic environments, understanding their behavior in binary systems is essential for biosorption strategies. This study focuses on the binary biosorption of Cu(II) and Cr(VI), representing cationic and anionic heavy metals. Specific adsorption sites are identified by analyzing adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and IR spectra of biofilms. The results indicate that biofilms, in a binary scenario, demonstrate nearly identical adsorption capacities for Cu(II) and Cr(VI). Moreover, the adsorption process follows the Langmuir adsorption model, emphasizing the potential of biofilms as effective biosorbents for the simultaneous removal of cationic and anionic heavy metals. This study advocates for a sustainable approach to heavy metal remediation through the utilization of biofilms.