This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.

Open AccessArticle

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

by

1,2, 3, 1,4, 1,5, 1,6, 2,*, 2, 2 and 1,7,*

1

Multidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University Zone, Av. Manuel Nava 201, 2nd. Floor, San Luis Potosí 78000, Mexico

2

Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain

3

Food and Environmental Technology Department, Technological University of Izúcar de Matamoros, De Reforma 168, Campestre la Paz, Izúcar de Matamoros 74420, Mexico

4

Faculty of Professional Studies Huasteca Zone, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Romualdo del Campo 501, Rafael Curiel, Ciudad Valles 79060, Mexico

5

Coordination for the Innovation and Application of Science and Technology, Av. Sierra Leona # 550, Col. Lomas 2a. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico

6

Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Carretera San Luis Potosí—Matehuala Km. 14.5 Ejido Palma de la Cruz, Soledad de Graciano Sánchez 78321, Mexico

7

Center for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Dr.Manuel Nava No. 8, West University Zone, San Luis Potosí 78290, Mexico

*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2559; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032559 (registering DOI)

Received: 20 December 2022
/
Revised: 23 January 2023
/
Accepted: 27 January 2023
/
Published: 31 January 2023

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.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

González Fernández, L.A.; Navarro Frómeta, A.E.; Carranza Álvarez, C.; Flores Ramírez, R.; Díaz Flores, P.E.; Castillo Ramos, V.; Sánchez Polo, M.; Carrasco Marín, F.; Medellín Castillo, N.A. Valorization of Sargassum Biomass as Potential Material for the Remediation of Heavy-Metals-Contaminated Waters. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 2559.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032559

AMA Style

González Fernández LA, Navarro Frómeta AE, Carranza Álvarez C, Flores Ramírez R, Díaz Flores PE, Castillo Ramos V, Sánchez Polo M, Carrasco Marín F, Medellín Castillo NA. Valorization of Sargassum Biomass as Potential Material for the Remediation of Heavy-Metals-Contaminated Waters. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(3):2559.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032559

Chicago/Turabian Style

González Fernández, Lázaro Adrián, 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. 2023. “Valorization of Sargassum Biomass as Potential Material for the Remediation of Heavy-Metals-Contaminated Waters” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 3: 2559.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032559

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.

Lázaro Adrián

​  Read More  Environmental Technology