Utilization of Seaweed Waste: Biosorption of Toxic Compounds Onto Invasive Seaweed and Seaweed Wastes

[Abstract] The concept of biosorption results from the “passive” (nonmetabolic) interaction of a chemical species with a particle of a biological material. This interaction can be practically exploited, for example, for removal of toxic substances of wastewaters or for the enrichment of a fertilizer with micronutrients. In this work, equilibrium and dynamic data obtained with “low-cost” biomaterials of algal waste or invasive seaweed species have been reviewed and critically analyzed in the context of a circular economy. The concept of a biosorption unit, oriented to the valorization of any solid residual material of algal biomass, can be considered as a real possibility in a biorefinery process; but to accomplish this goal it is necessary that the emphasis on research must definitely move from laboratory scale toward pilot plant assays.The authors wish to thank Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad) for the financial support through the research project CTQ2016-80473-P, cofounded with FEDER (UE) progra