Resumen

CUIZANO, Norma A., LLANOS, Bertha P. y NAVARRO, Abel E. Aplicaciones ambientales de la adsorción mediante biopolímeros naturales: parte 1-Compuestos fenólicos. Rev. Soc. Quím. Perú, oct./dic. 2009, vol.75, no.4, p.488-494. ISSN 1810-634X.

Biosorption is a technique that can be used in the removal of pollutants from waste waters, especially the ones that are not easily degraded such as phenolic compounds. In this review, the ability of adsorption by marine algae as a solution of the contamination by phenolic compounds is emphasized. The properties of alginates and fucoidanos, mainly composed by carboxyl, hydroxyl and sulphonate groups are discussed as the base of their adsorptive potential. The mechanisms of adsorption as well as the most important parameters influencing the passive uptake of these molecules are also analyzed. Moreover, recent results about the application of seaweeds in the adsorption of 2-chlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol and phenol are discussed. The present review also highlights the necessity for the examination and search of biosorbents within real situations, as competition between adsorbates and alteration of biosorption due to water quality, amongst other topics, important for the development of this technique.

Palabras llave: biosorption; phenolic compounds; marine algae; wastewater treatment; adsorption.