2025, Volume 71(75), Issue 1 (January), pp. 75 - 84

Bioremediation in Circular Economy: Case Study of Cu(II) Removal via Lignin-Based Biomass

ELENA UNGUREANU, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, Iași, Romania
BOGDAN-MARIAN TOFĂNICĂ, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iași University of Life Sciences, Iași, Romania, b.m.tofanica@gmail.com
MARIA-EMILIANA FORTUNĂ, “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Iași, Romania
OVIDIU C. UNGUREANU, “Vasile Goldis” West University of Arad, Arad, Romania
IRINA VOLF, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iași, Iași, Romania

pages 75 - 84   Download
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15062946
Abstract
In the context of sustainable development, the present study proposes a novel approach to minimise the harmful effects of pollutant sources, such as heavy metal ions, and to effectively utilise bioresources in the same time. The study proposes the retention of Cu(II) ions in static conditions using Sarkanda grass lignin, a biomass residue, representing a renewable natural resource and a versatile biomaterial. This complex compound demonstrates thermodynamic, and biological efficiency. The experimental data obtained suggest potential applications in the treatment of wastewater, offering a sustainable alternative to the already established, but more expensive, technologies. This research supports the expansion of the use of biomaterials for environmental remediation, highlighting the importance of minimising waste and conserving natural resources in support of a circular bioeconomy. Future research will focus on optimizing the retention process, evaluating the long-term stability of the material, and exploring the scalability of this technology for industrial wastewater treatment.
Keywords: bioremediation, lignin, Cu(II) ions, retention, Lypercosium esculentum, circular bioeconomy