Algae Biomass Hydrogels for Enhanced Removal of Heavy Metal Ions

Heavy metal ion pollution in aquatic environments is a critical global issue, damaging ecosystems and threatening human health via bioaccumulation in the food chain. Despite promising progress with biosorbents, the development of environmentally friendly and stable heavy metal adsorbents requires further exploration. In this study, we present an algae-loaded alginate hydrogel as a composite adsorbent for heavy metals. The incorporation of algae enhanced the hydrogel's adsorption capacity by 38.0%, 20.6%, and 27.1% for Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Co²⁺, respectively. Additionally, the composite hydrogel demonstrated excellent stability and recyclability after adsorption, reducing the ecological risks associated with algae biomass usage. This algae-loaded alginate hydrogel offers an efficient and eco-friendly strategy for removing heavy metal ions from aquatic systems, highlighting its potential for environmental remediation applications.