Biological sorption and uptake of toxic metal ion from wastewaters.

Microorganisms and algae have potential as agents for removing inorganic pollutants from wastewaters. Metal ion uptake mechanisms function either by passive chemical adsorption or by metabolically driven processes. Ion selective uptake processes are being sought in algae to facilitate purification of valuable metal ions for recycling. Sessile macroalgae growing in seawater are useful bioindicators for detecting metal ion contamination in the marine environment.