Valorization of Sargassum Biomass as Potential Material for the Remediation of Heavy-Metals-Contaminated Waters

Lázaro Adrián González Fernández, Amado Enrique Navarro Frómeta, Candy Carranza Álvarez, Rogelio Flores Ramírez, Paola Elizabeth Díaz Flores, Ventura Castillo Ramos (), Manuel Sánchez Polo, Francisco Carrasco Marín and Nahum Andrés Medellín Castillo ()
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Lázaro Adrián González Fernández: Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University Zone, Av. Manuel Nava 201, 2nd. Floor, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico
Amado Enrique Navarro Frómeta: Food and Environmental Technology Department, Technological University of Izúcar de Matamoros, De Reforma 168, Campestre la Paz, Izúcar de Matamoros 74420, Mexico
Candy Carranza Álvarez: Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University Zone, Av. Manuel Nava 201, 2nd. Floor, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico
Rogelio Flores Ramírez: Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University Zone, Av. Manuel Nava 201, 2nd. Floor, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico
Paola Elizabeth Díaz Flores: Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University Zone, Av. Manuel Nava 201, 2nd. Floor, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico
Ventura Castillo Ramos: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Manuel Sánchez Polo: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Francisco Carrasco Marín: Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Nahum Andrés Medellín Castillo: Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University Zone, Av. Manuel Nava 201, 2nd. Floor, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: Sargassum algae has become a major environmental issue due to its abundance in the Pacific Ocean with hundreds of tons reaching the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean every year. This generates large quantities of decomposing organic matter that have a negative impact on the region’s economy and ecosystems. Sargassum valorization has turned out to be a fundamental aspect to mitigate its environmental impact. This study proposes the use and application of untreated Sargassum biomass for the decontamination of waters polluted with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) through single and binary adsorption tests. Physicochemical and textural properties examined by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR elucidated that Sargassum biomass is viable to be used as a potential environmental benign adsorbent, exhibiting Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption capacities as high as 240 mg g −1 and 350 mg g −1 , respectively, outperforming conventionally used adsorbents. This is attributed to its morphology, favorable surface charge distribution, and the presence of -OH and -COH groups. A strong affinity between the biomass and metal pollutants was evidenced by a thermodynamics study, showing a spontaneous and endothermic process. This work sets a practical route for the utilization of the Sargassum biomass, demonstrating its applicability as a potential material for heavy-metal-polluted water remediation, making a substantial contribution to a circular economy system.

Keywords: Sargassum algae; valorization; adsorption; heavy metals; water remediation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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