Seaweed-based biosorbent for the removal of organic and inorganic contaminants from water: a systematic review

Abstract

Inadequately treated or untreated wastewater contributes substantially to the discharge of undesirable and hazardous substances into aquatic environments. Serious concerns are raised when certain pollutants become persistent and bioaccumulative upon release into the environment. Despite the existence of alternative wastewater treatment technologies, adsorption has consistently demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of wastewater originating from diverse industrial sources. Adsorption is selected as the optimal method due to its numerous benefits, which include greater efficacy, reduced cost, and convenient accessibility in comparison to alternative treatments. Biosorption using naturally occurring seaweeds can, however, remove contaminants from a variety of sources, including heavy metals, nitrogen, phosphorus, and phenolic compounds, and dyes from the paper, textile, and printing industries. Biosorption utilizing seaweed has surfaces as a feasible substitute for existing technologies in the effective elimination of these pollutants from effluent on account of its environmentally sustainable nature, readily available resources, and cost-effectiveness. An economical adsorbent known as seaweed is examined in this article in order to remove contaminants from effluent. In an extensive table, the application of seaweed in effluent treatment is detailed. The majority of studies, according to published research, have utilized simulated wastewater; biosorption using seaweed to remediate actual wastewater has received less attention.