Bacterial Biosorption for Heavy Metal Removal As a Sustainable Remediation Approach to Environmental
Date of Award
Spring 5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Jason A. Rosenzweig
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination is promoted by effluent dumping industries, mining, agricultural runoff, and urbanization. Metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic can be found in soil and water bodies as a result, posing serious environmental and human health threats (Ali, Khan, & Sajad, 2013; Wang & Chen, 2009). Heavy metal exposure in humans can lead to neurological disorders, renal damage, and cancers (Rani, Sharma, & Singh, 2024; Gadd, 2009). Traditional remediation techniques such as chemical precipitation, ion exchange, and membrane filtration are costly, energy-consuming, and can produce toxic byproducts (Das, 2010; Volesky, 2007). Bio absorption is an attractive alternative because it uses the natural binding capacity of organisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants to immobilize metals (Xu, Li, & Zhang, 2023; Mishra, Tripathi, & Sinha, 2024). This manuscript considers bio absorption, addresses applications of bioremediation, examines environmental and economic limitations of existing methods, and argues that bio absorption is one of the cleanest remediation methods for industrial wastewater treatment, soil rehabilitation, and overall environmental health.
Recommended Citation
May, Arriana, "Bacterial Biosorption for Heavy Metal Removal As a Sustainable Remediation Approach to Environmental" (2025). Honor’s College Freeman Research Journal. 46.
https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/frj/46