Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vanadium (V) is a critical raw material which is extensively used in metallurgical, aerospace and chemical indus- tries. However, V-enriched wastewaters pose risks to human and environmental health due to their tendency to persist and bioaccumulate. Active V treatment processes generate significant quantities of byproducts with associated high operating costs and there is a need therefore to investigate novel passive technologies such as biosorption. This study investigates the capacity and reusability of KOH-modified seaweed biochar (BCKOH) to (re-)adsorb, desorb and recover V, and evaluates the influ- ences of initial V concentration, contact time, solution temperature and pH.