Adsorption operation has been commercialized in an excellent way to treat industrial waste effluents, offering significant advantages like the low-cost, availability, ease of operation and efficiency. Biosorption, which is simply defined as the removal of substances from solution by material of biological origin; is a physio-chemical process which includes mechanisms such as, surface complexation, ion-exchange, absorption, precipitation and adsorption. Biosorption research concerns mainly metals and related substances, but now this term is applied to particulates and all manner of organic substances as well. Though the research publication on biosorption increases continuously, it is pathetic to note that there has been literally no exploitation in an industrial context. This article on biosorption research critically reviews aspects regarding the rationale, scope, scientific value and future potential of biosorption research as an industrial process.
