CLOSED-LOOP METAL RECOVERY: TRANSLATING ADVANCED BIOSORPTION INTO RESOURCE CIRCULARITY

The increasing discharge of metal-contaminated effluents from industrial, mining, electroplating, battery, and electronic sectors has created serious environmental challenges while accelerating the depletion of natural metal resources. Advanced biosorption has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective technology for the removal and recovery of metals from wastewater using biological materials such as algae, fungi, bacteria, agricultural residues, and engineered biocomposites. This study reviews recent advances in closed-loop metal recovery systems that integrate biosorption with resource circularity and circular economy principles. Key biosorption mechanisms, including ion exchange, chelation, complexation, and electrostatic interactions, are discussed along with strategies for biosorbent regeneration and high-purity metal recovery. Applications in industrial wastewater treatment, acid mine drainage, e-waste leachates, and spent battery recycling demonstrate the potential of biosorption-driven systems for waste valorization and sustainable metal management. Despite challenges related to scale-up, selectivity, and process optimization, advanced biosorption technologies offer a promising pathway toward environmentally friendly metal recovery and resource-efficient industrial development.

• Adnan, Muhammad, et al. "Heavy metal, waste, COVID-19, and rapid industrialization in this modern era—Fit for sustainable future." Sustainability, 2022; 14.8: 4746.
• Azmi, Latifah Suha. "Membrane filtration technologies for sustainable industrial wastewater treatment: a review of heavy metal removal." Desalination and Water Treatment, 2025; 101321.
• Branca, Teresa Annunziata, et al. "Reuse and recycling of by-products in the steel sector: Recent achievements paving the way to circular economy and industrial symbiosis in Europe." Metals, 2020; 10.3: 345.
• Ramachandra, T. V., N. Ahalya, and R. D. Kanamadi. Biosorption: techniques and mechanisms. CES TR 110, 2006.
• Hagelüken, Christian, and Daniel Goldmann. "Recycling and circular economy—towards a closed loop for metals in emerging clean technologies." Mineral Economics, 2022; 35.3:        539-562.
• Staszak, Katarzyna, and Magdalena Regel-Rosocka. "Removing heavy metals: cutting-edge strategies and advancements in biosorption technology." Materials, 2024; 17.5: 1155.
• Srivastava, Shalini, S. B. Agrawal, and M. K. Mondal. "A review on progress of heavy metal removal using adsorbents of microbial and plant origin." Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015; 22.20: 15386-15415.
• Kyzas, George Z., Jie Fu, and Kostas A. Matis. "New biosorbent materials: selectivity and bioengineering insights." Processes, 2014; 2.2:        419-440.
• Chavan, S. V. "Molecular docking analysis of bioactive compounds isolated from the leaves of Coccinia grandis (L): Enhancing a potent drug." Int J Adv Chem Res., 2025; 7.5: 74-80.
• Ramrakhiani, Lata, et al. "Industrial waste derived biosorbent for toxic metal remediation: mechanism studies and spent biosorbent management." Chemical Engineering Journal, 2017; 308: 1048-1064.
• Pal, Parimal, and Meenakshi Malhotra. "Emerging technologies for selenium separation and recovery from aqueous systems: A review for sustainable management strategy." The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2023; 101.5: 2859-2877.
• Maung, Sandi April, et al. "Experimental and DFT-Based Optimization of Nitrilotriacetic Acid-Modified Banana Peel Biochar for Efficient Multi-Metal Removal and Reusability." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2025; 120814.
• Chavan, Sanjay V. "DFT study of four isolated compounds form leaves of Coccinia grandis (L.) which are explore to medicinal application." (2025).
• Ramteke, Trupti, and Sanjay Chavan. "Indian Journal of Advances in Chemical Science." Indian Journal of Advances in Chemical Science, 2024; 12.3: 169-174.z