An innovative yeast-alginate-based system designed for the effective biosorption of cadmium, lead, and arsenate

This study developed two biosorption systems for removing heavy metals from water. System A utilized a yeast-alginate framework for cadmium (Cd²⁺) and lead (Pb²⁺), while System B employed an iron nanoparticle-functionalized yeast-alginate system for arsenate [As(V)]. Both systems were tested in a fixed-bed column. System A achieved removal efficiencies of 82.3 ± 1.5 % for cadmium and 91.7 ± 0.6 % for lead, whereas System B had a removal rate of 64.6 ± 1.5 % for arsenate. Two models were developed to assess simultaneous biosorption: Model 1 used tandem columns with separate systems, and Model 2 combined both systems in a single column. Model 1 outperformed Model 2, with biosorption capacities of 115.9 ± 0.9 µg/g for Cd²⁺, 195.1 ± 5.3 µg/g for Pb²⁺, and 71.0 ± 1.2 µg/g for [As(V)]. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and acetic acid (CH₃COOH) were also investigated as potential desorption treatments, but yielded low results. The presence of common anions in water did not significantly affect biosorption. Overall, the tandem biosorption model seems to be a more practical, affordable, reusable, and eco-friendly option for effectively removing Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and [As(V)] from drinking water. • The study examined techniques for removing three toxic metals from drinking water. • System A was designed to eliminate cadmium and lead, System B to target arsenate. • Tandem columns were more effective at simultaneously removing metals. • Common water anions had no significant effect on metal biosorption. • Tandem columns offer an eco-friendly, cost-effective way to remove toxic metals.