Enhancement of Sedimentation Velocity of Heavy Metals Loaded Hydroxyapatite Using Chitosan Extracted from Shrimp Waste

In this study, synthesize hydroxyapatite (HA) suspensions sedimentation was used after usual terms as support for adsorption of heavy metals ions. Thus, the effectiveness of chitosan, produced from shrimp waste, in the flocculation of turbid suspensions resulting from the treatment of water contaminated with heavy metals was studied by adsorption on HA. Different particles sizes of HA were mainly controlled in this work (an average of granule size ranging from 1.6 to 63 μm). The results of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ adsorption on HA showed relatively fast kinetics, with removal extent of 88–95 % by varying the initial total metal concentration. High removal rates were obtained for Cu²⁺. Chitosan was found to be able to eliminate by flocculation more than 98 % of turbid suspensions generated by metals adsorption on HA after only 30 min of sedimentation. Effects of pH and dose of chitosan on the coagulation–flocculation process were also studied. The optimal dose of chitosan was found between 0.2 and 2 mg/L which corresponds to an optimal pH ranging from 6 to 7.     

Selection of adsorbents for treatment of leachate: batch studies of simultaneous adsorption of heavy metals

The simultaneous adsorption of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) ions from spiked deionized water and spiked leachate onto natural materials (peat A and B), by-product or waste materials (carbon-containing ash, paper pellets, pine bark, and semi-coke), and synthetic materials (based on urea-formaldehyde resins, called blue and red adsorbents) or mixtures thereof was investigated. The adsorbents that gave the highest metal removal efficiencies were peat A, a mixture of peat B and carbon-containing ash, and a mixture of peat A and blue. At an initial concentration of 5 mg/l for each metal, the removal of each species of metal ion from spiked water and spiked leachate solutions was very good (>90%) and good (>75%), respectively. When the initial concentration of each metal in the solutions was twenty times higher (100 mg/l), there was a noticeable decrease in the removal efficiency of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺, but not of Pb²⁺. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacities, q_m, on peat A were found to be 0.57, 0.37, and 0.36 mmol/g for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺, respectively. The order of metal adsorption capacity on peat A was the same in the case of competitive multimetal adsorption conditions as it was for single-element adsorption, namely Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ ≥ Ni²⁺. The results show that peat alone (an inexpensive adsorbent) is a good adsorbent for heavy metal ions.     

Adsorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ on the l-cysteine-functionalized graphene oxide/chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel: Kinetic,isotherm, and thermodynamic study

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan-cysteine-functionalized graphene oxide (PCCFG) hydrogel was synthesized from l -cysteine-functionalized graphene oxide (CFG), chitosan (CS), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The hydrogel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and employed for removing lead ion (Pb²⁺) and cadmium ion (Cd²⁺) from aqueous solution. The effects of initial metal ion concentration, hydrogel dose, pH, time, and temperature were studied. The experimental data were well described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm with maximum adsorption capacities of 250 and 192 mg g⁻¹ at 25°C for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, respectively. The adsorption capacity of the PCCFG hydrogel increased with an increase in temperature. The value of ∆G° was negative, which shows the spontaneity of the reaction (electron exchange or ion exchange) between the metal ion and electron-rich atoms (–N, –S, –O). The positive ∆H° shows that the adsorption reaction consumes energy and the positive ∆S° shows the strong affinity of PCCFG toward the Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions. Pb²⁺ had better affinity and less spontaneity than Cd²⁺. The results show that the coexistence of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺ in the solution inhibits the adsorption capacity of PCCFG.     

Preparation,Characterization, and Rapid Adsorption of Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on Nanoscale Aramid-based Adsorbent

A series of nanaoscale aramid-based adsorbents were prepared by the functionalization of poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) with different content of ethylenediamine (EDA). Their structures were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. Metal ions, including Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Ni²⁺ were chosen as the models to explore the binding behaviors of PPTA–ECH–EDA in aqueous medium. Results showed that PPTA–ECH–EDA exhibited higher adsorption capacity for Hg²⁺ due to their nanoscale structures. In particular, the adsorption rate was so high that equilibrium was achieved within 15 min for Hg²⁺. The adsorption of Hg²⁺ on PPTA–ECH–EDA followed the pseudo second-order model well. Langmuir and Freundlich models were employed to fit the isothermal adsorption, and the results revealed that Freundlich isotherm was a better model to predict the experimental data. The adsorption mechanism was revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is preconceived that PPTA–ECH–EDA could be used as an effective adsorbent for fast removal of heavy ions from wastewater.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Environmental Applications of a New Bio-Composite Gelatin-Zr(IV) Phosphate

Gelatin-Zr(IV) phosphate composite (GT/ZPC) was synthesized by sol–gel method. Different techniques viz. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powdered diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for the characterisation of GT/ZPC composite ion exchanger. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) of GT/ZPC was observed to be better (1.04 meq g^?1) than its inorganic counterpart (0.64 meq g^?1). The pH studies revealed the monofunctional nature of GT/ZPC with one inflection point. The distribution studies showed that the GT/ZPC was highly selective for Cd²⁺ as compare to other metal ions. The environmental applicability of ion exchanger has been analysed for binary separations of metal ions using column method. Cd²⁺ was effectively removed from synthetic mixture of metal ions (Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺).     

Poultry litter-based activated carbon for removing heavy metal ions in water

Utilization of poultry litter as a precursor material to manufacture activated carbon for treating heavy metal-contaminated water is a value-added strategy for recycling the organic waste. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate kinetics, isotherms, and capacity of poultry litter-based activated carbon for removing heavy metal ions in water. It was revealed that poultry litter-based activated carbon possessed significantly higher adsorption affinity and capacity for heavy metals than commercial activated carbons derived from bituminous coal and coconut shell. Adsorption of metal ions onto poultry litter-based carbon was rapid and followed Sigmoidal Chapman patterns as a function of contact time. Adsorption isotherms could be described by different models such as Langmuir and Freundlich equations, depending on the metal species and the coexistence of other metal ions. Potentially 404 mmol of Cu²⁺, 945 mmol of Pb²⁺, 236 mmol of Zn²⁺, and 250–300 mmol of Cd²⁺ would be adsorbed per kg of poultry litter-derived activated carbon. Releases of nutrients and metal ions from litter-derived carbon did not pose secondary water contamination risks. The study suggests that poultry litter can be utilized as a precursor material for economically manufacturing granular activated carbon that is to be used in wastewater treatment for removing heavy metals.     

改性生物炭对Ni~(2+)和Cu~(2+)的吸附

以废弃松木屑为原料制备了生物炭,采用六亚甲基四胺(HMTA)和/或CO2对其进行改性,并将其用于水中Ni2+和Cu2+的吸附。表征结果显示,以HMTA和CO2共同改性的生物炭BC1的表面积最小但表面含氧官能团含量最高。实验结果表明:生物炭经改性后,其吸附性能明显提高,且以BC1为最优;在不调节溶液p H、初始重金属离子质量浓度为50 mg/L、吸附剂加入量分别为2.0 g/L和1.0 g/L、吸附时间分别为360 min和240 min的优化条件下,BC1对Ni2+和Cu2+的去除率分别达到99.81%和95.88%;改性生物炭对Ni2+和Cu2+的吸附过程可以用Langmuir等温吸附模型来描述,而其吸附动力学具有拟二级动力学方程特征。     

A case study of microwave processing of metal hydroxide sediment sludge from printed circuit board manufacturing wash water

The large quantity of wash water used in the electroplating and etching process in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) contains a high level of heavy metal ions (Cu⁺⁺, Zn⁺⁺, Ni⁺⁺, Cr⁺⁺⁺, Pb⁺⁺). These potentially toxic ions are removed from the wash water effluent through a polyelectrolyte flocculation and hydroxide precipitation process during which a hydroxide sediment sludge rich in metal ions and polymers is generated. This sediment sludge possesses some unique characteristics and properties in terms of composition, fine particle size distribution, high specific surface area, and a tendency to agglomerate after drying. Direct disposal of this classified “special waste” (Department of Environment of Northern Ireland, The Special Waste Regulations, Northern Ireland, 1998) at landfill sites may cause serious soil and underground water pollution through a gradual ionic leaching process. This paper describes an experimental investigation, exploratory in nature, which employs microwave radiation for detoxification of the sediment sludge through microwave heating, drying and metal ion immobilization within the sediment solids. The effectiveness of microwave assisted binding and immobilization of the metal ions within the sediment solids was studied in conjunction with an evaluation of microwave energy efficiency in comparison to the more conventional convective heating and drying processes. Given a sufficient amount of microwave radiation, leaching of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ was reduced by 2700% and 1080%, respectively, over a period of 12 weeks, and further leaching was not detectable within six months at simulated local landfill aqueous conditions. This paper also attempts, through experimental observation, to add to the very limited understanding of the complex interactions and binding of free metal ions with the polymeric materials and metal hydroxides under the influence of an electromagnetic field. The high specific surface of the sediment solids and their adsorption properties were further explored and characterized in a study of adsorption of reactive dyes by the microwave processed solids.     

Itaconic Acid Grafted Starch Hydrogels as Metal Remover: Capacity,Selectivity and Adsorption Kinetics

Hydrogels were synthesized by free radical graft copolymerization of itaconic acid (IA) onto corn starch (S-g-IA). For this purpose, potassium permanganate (KMnO₄)-sodium bisulfite (NaHSO₃) was used as redox initiation system. The formation of grafted starches was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray scattering, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of monomer concentration, neutralization, addition of crosslinking agent, N,N-bismetilenacrilamide (MBAm), and initiator concentration on grafting efficiency and adsorption capacity of the starch hydrogels was investigated. It was demonstrated that the introduction of carboxyl and carbonyl groups promoted starch hydration and swelling. Grafting degree increased with the decrease of monomer concentration, increase of initiator concentration, grade of neutralization and the addition of MBAm without neutralization. Remarkably the resulting materials exhibited water absorption capacities between 258 and 1878% and the ability to adsorb metal ions. It was experimentally confirmed the metal uptake, obtaining the higher adsorption capacity (q _e  = 35 mg/g) for the product prepared with the pre-oxidation and lower initiator concentration. The removal capacity order was Pb²⁺>Ni²⁺>Zn²⁺>Cd²⁺. Moreover, the experimental kinetic and the equilibrium adsorption data for Ni²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were best fitted to the pseudo-second order and Freundlich isotherm models, respectively. This work describes for the first time the preparation of metal removal hydrogels based on starch and itaconic acid using the pair redox system KMnO₄/NaHSO₃, which avoids the starch hydrolysis and allows itaconic acid grafting incorporation without the requirement of more reactive comonomers.     

Characterization and phosphate stabilization of dusts from the vitrification of MSW combustion residues

The use of soluble PO₄³⁻ as a heavy metal chemical stabilization agent was evaluated for a dust generated from melting or vitrification of municipal solid waste combustion residues. Vitrification dusts contain high concentrations of volatile elements such as Cl, Na, K, S, Pb, and Zn. These elements are present in the dusts largely as simple salts (e.g. PbCl₂, ZnSO₄) which are highly leachable. At an experimental dose of 0.4 moles of soluble PO₄³⁻ per kg of residue, the pH-dependent leaching (pH 5,7,9) showed that the treatment was able to reduce equilibrium concentrations by factors of 3 to 100 for many metals; particularly Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Bulk and surface spectroscopies showed that the insoluble reaction products are tertiary metal phosphate [e.g. Zn₃(PO₄)₂] and apatite [e.g. Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl] family minerals. Geochemical thermodynamic equilibrium modeling showed that apatite family and tertiary metal phosphate phases act as controlling solids for the equilibrium concentrations of Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ in the leachates during pH-dependent leaching. Both end members and ideal solid solutions were seen to be controlling solids. Soluble phosphate effectively converted soluble metal salts into insoluble metal phosphate phases despite the relatively low doses and dry mixing conditions that were used. Soluble phosphate is an effective stabilization agent for divalent heavy metals in melting dusts where leachable metals are present in high concentrations.     

Immobilization of copper ions laden kaolin waste: influence of thermal treatment on its immobilization in cement paste

This work aims to study the influence of thermal treatment of Cu²⁺ laden kaolin wastes on its immobilization efficiency in cement paste. Compressive strength and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) of 5–20 % kaolin waste blended cement pastes were tested. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results illustrate that adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions modify the crystal structure of kaolinite mineral. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results indicate that the adsorption sites on the kaolin surface that were occupied with free water molecules have been replaced with Cu²⁺ ions adsorbed from aqueous solutions. The thermal treatment of kaolin waste improves fixation ratio of Cu²⁺ in cement pastes containing up to 20 % of thermally treated waste. This is due to: pozzolanic activity of calcined kaolin, conversion of leachable adsorbed Cu²⁺ ions into encapsulated unleachable phase that does not retard the hydration of cement as well as adsorption of much of leachable Cu²⁺ ions on surfaces of hydration products and occlusion in its lattice structure as illustrated from XRD, FTIR, thermogravimetric, scanning electron microscopy and TCLP results. The fixation ratio of Cu²⁺ in cement paste blended with 20 % of thermally treated kaolin waste, reaches maximum value of about 97 % compared to 82 % for cement paste blended with 20 % of untreated kaolin waste.     

高炉渣对Cd~(2+)的吸附性能

采用包头钢铁集团炼铁厂的高炉渣为吸附剂(粒径0.154 nm)对Cd2+进行吸附,运用SEM技术对吸附剂进行了表征,研究了初始Cd2+质量浓度、吸附剂加入量、吸附时间、吸附温度和废水pH对Cd2+去除率的影响,并探讨了吸附机理。表征结果显示:高炉渣吸附剂具有疏松多孔的特点,表面十分粗糙,比表面积较大。实验结果表明:当吸附温度为室温(28℃)、废水pH为7、初始Cd2+质量浓度为10 mg/L、吸附剂加入量为8 g/L、吸附时间为60 min时,Cd2+去除率达到98.55%;高炉渣对Cd2+的吸附符合拟二级动力学方程和Langmuir等温吸附模型,且吸附反应易发生。     

氨基改性二氧化硅气凝胶的制备及其对镍离子的吸附性能

以正硅酸乙酯为硅源、3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷为改性剂,采用溶胶-凝胶法制备了氨基改性二氧化硅气凝胶,采用FTIR、SEM、TEM和BET技术对其进行了表征,并将其用于对水中镍离子的吸附。表征结果显示,改性前后的气凝胶均具有三维多孔网络结构,比表面积分别为877.35 m²/g和357.76 m²/g,平均孔径分别为10 nm和12 nm。实验结果表明：溶液pH为4~7时改性气凝胶对镍离子均保持较高的吸附量,溶液pH为6左右时吸附量最高;Langmuir等温吸附模型能更好地描述镍离子在改性气凝胶上的吸附行为,其饱和吸附量为70.03 mg/g,改性前仅为29.05 mg/g;改性气凝胶重复使用5次后,仍保持较高的镍离子去除率,重复使用性能良好。     

Sunflower stalk, an agricultural waste, as an adsorbent for the removal of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions

Sunflower residue, an agricultural waste material for the removal of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from aqueous solutions were investigated using a batch method. Adsorbent was prepared by washing sunflower residue with deionized water until the effluent was colorless. Batch mode experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time. The results indicated that the adsorbent showed good sorption potential and maximum metal removal was observed at pH 5. Within 150 min of operation about 97 and 87 % of Pb and Cd ions were removed from the solutions, respectively. Lead and Cd sorption curves were well fitted to the modified two-site Langmuir model. The adsorption capacities for Pb and Cd at optimum conditions were 182 and 70 mg g^?1, respectively. The kinetics of Pb and Cd adsorption from aqueous solutions were analyzed by fitting the experimental data to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the rate constant was found to be 8.42 × 10^?2 and 8.95 × 10^?2 g mg^?1 min^?1 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The results revealed that sunflower can adsorb considerable amount of Pb and Cd ions and thus could be an economical method for the removal of Pb and Cd from aqueous systems.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Application of α, β, and γ Cyclodextrin-Conjugated Graphene Oxide for Removing Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Media

In this study, a novel and facile route for the synthesis of cyclodextrin-conjugated graphene oxide (CDs–GO) nanocomposites by esterification reaction in the presence of EDC/DMAP as catalyst, was developed. The formation of CDs–GO was successfully approved by FT-IR, SEM, TEM, TGA and BET analyses. Then competitive adsorption capacity of cadmium ion by CDs–GO composites and the impact of different empirical parameters like contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and initial pH on the adsorption process were studied. The results showed that β-CD–GO at pH 7 is suitable for removing Cd(II) with 90?% removal efficiency. Also, the adsorption capacity experiment at constant concentration of 50 ppm of Cd(II) showed that more than 50?% of Cd(II) ions could be adsorbed by γ-CD–GO reaching an equilibrium within 2 h. Therefore, the γ-CD–GO and α-CD–GO showed high adsorption capacity toward Cd²⁺ (222.22 mg/g) which were pointedly more than that of β-CD–GO (208.33 mg/g). Furthermore, adsorption kinetics, isotherm studies, and thermodynamic analyses were evaluated. The adsorption data exhibited excellent fit to the pseudo-second-order (R²?>?0.99) and Freundlich isotherm models.

     

An Original Halo-Alkaline Protease from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus halodurans</Emphasis> Strain US193: Biochemical Characterization and Potential Use as Bio-Additive in Detergents

Over a hundred of halophilic/halotolerant microorganisms were screened for alkaline protease production. The bacterium showing the highest enzyme production was characterized and identified as Bacillus halodurans US193 on the basis of 16S rRNA gene analysis. It was alkalophilic, thermophilic and halotolerant since it grew optimally at pH 9.7 and 50?°C with tolerance of up to 125 g NaCl l^?1. The alkaline protease was purified 4.9 times with about 40186.1 U/mg as specific activity. It exhibited optimal activity at pH 10, 70?°C and 0.25 M NaCl with perfect stability at wide ranges of pH (6–12), temperatures (30–60?°C) and NaCl concentrations (0–2 M). The serine alkaline protease maintained high stability in the presence of Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions, various organic solvents [50% (v/v)] and ionic and non ionic detergent additives. In addition, it was more compatible with various commercialized detergents than other reported detergent proteases, and was very efficient in blood stain removal. These findings let B. halodurans US193 alkaline protease be an ideal candidate for many industrial processes at harsh conditions, especially as a bio-additive in detergent industry.     

Chelating Ability and Microbial Stability of an <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Arginine-Modified Chitosan-Based Environmental Remediation Material

To improve the heavy metal ion chelating ability and the microbiological stability of chitosan (CS), l-arginine (l-Arg) was grafted on CS polymer in the presence of the condensing agent 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) and the coupling reagent N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) to prepare a natural polymer-based environmental rehabilitation material: l-arginine-grafted chitosan (CA). The graft mechanism is discussed, and the reaction conditions were optimized. The product was characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy (¹³C-NMR). The optimal reaction conditions were a reactant molar ratio nCS:nArg:nEDC:nNHS of 3:3:3:1, a reaction time of 12 h, and a reaction system pH?=?5. Under these conditions, the grafting ratio (GR) was 16.85%, while the product yield (PY) was 90.48%. The results of the adsorption experiments showed that the CA (GR?=?16.85%) had a better removal capacity for highly concentrated Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions than CS. The antibacterial activity of the CA was also enhanced. When the GR reached 16.85%, the CA almost completely inhibited the growth of colibacillus and Staphylococcus aureus. Due to its high chelating ability and microbiological stability, this novel metal-ion adsorption material, CA, can be considered to have broad application potential in heavy metal ion-polluted water and soil remediation.     

MgO/SiO_2纳米复合材料同步吸附亚甲基蓝和Cu~(2+)

采用化学沉积法合成了MgO/SiO_2纳米复合材料,通过扫描电子显微镜和X射线能谱分析(SEM-EDX)、X射线衍射(XRD)、Zeta电位仪、FTIR等方法对其进行了表征。研究了MgO/SiO_2对亚甲基蓝(MB)和Cu~(2+)的吸附行为及同步吸附效果。表征结果表明:MgO/SiO_2为褶皱、凸起的球形形貌;MgO成功负载在SiO_2表面。实验结果表明:MgO/SiO_2对MB和Cu~(2+)的吸附符合准二级动力学模型和Langmuir等温吸附模型,MB和Cu~(2+)的饱和吸附量分别为83.72 mg/g和208.70 mg/g;MB和Cu~(2+)的同步吸附在MgO/SiO_2表面存在竞争关系;在溶液体积为30m L、MgO/SiO_2加入量为10 mg、MB质量浓度为10 mg/L或Cu~(2+)质量浓度为100 mg/L、吸附温度为25℃、吸附时间为24 h、初始溶液pH为4.00、解吸时间为4 h的条件下,MgO/SiO_2第1次吸附MB和Cu~(2+)的去除率分别为92.8%和90.1%,第5次吸附的去除率分别为59.6%和57.4%。     

煤气化细渣制备碳硅复合材料吸附去除水中Pb2+

以煤气化细渣为原料制备了高比表面积碳硅复合材料,并利用过硫酸铵对其进行表面改性,用于吸附100.0 mg/L PbCl₂溶液中Pb²⁺。表征结果显示：碳硅复合材料的比表面积为1 347 m²/g,改性后降为474 m²/g;改性后材料表面的羟基、羰基和羧基等含氧基团的含量显著增加。实验结果表明：溶液pH为5时,改性碳硅复合材料对Pb²⁺的平衡吸附量为124 mg/g,Pb²⁺去除率可达98.2%;吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型,以化学吸附为主,伴有物理吸附;吸附过程分为外扩散和内扩散两个阶段,受内扩散控制。     

Partial characterization of the exopolysaccharide from Oscillatoria trichoides Szafer and the role of released polysaccharide in sequestration of Cr6+

The structural investigation and the chromium adsorptive potential of an exopolysaccharide (EPS) released during the growth of an indigenous cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria trichoides Szafer, were investigated in a laboratory‐scale study. The results showed that, of the total EPS produced, 410.53 milligrams/gram (mg g^?1) were released polysaccharides (RPS) and 11.36 mg g^?1 were capsular polysaccharides (CPS). The sorption of hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) by the RPS achieved a maximum amount of metal removal (q_max) value of 76.92 mg g^?1 of polysaccharide dry weight. The highest coefficient of determination (0.9742) for the Langmuir adsorption model indicates best fitness of the model in explaining the sorption as a unilayer process. Equilibrium studies indicated that 30 to 40 milligrams per liter initial chromium concentration and a pH of 2 were optimal for biosorption of chromium by the RPS. Scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis of Cr⁶⁺‐treated RPS showed the presence of 3.76% bound chromium. Compositional analysis of the EPS showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, pyruvic acid, and hexosamines. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated the presence of hexoses, as neutral sugars and glucuronic acid as an acidic sugar. The presence of carboxylic groups was also detected by infrared spectroscopy. The presence of these chemical constituents may serve as binding sites for the metal ions; therefore, the RPS of this species appears to be a promising biosorbent for Cr⁶⁺.