Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Understanding Biosorption Biosorption is a process in which biomass, such as microorganisms, algae, or plant biomass, is used to absorb and bind pollutants from a polluted solution or environment. In this context, pollutants can be heavy metals, organic compounds, or other chemical substances dissolved in water or solutions. The biosorption process occurs through physical, chemical and biological interactions between pollutants and biomass used as biosorption agents. For example, at the microorganism level, metal ions can be adsorbed onto the surface of microbial cells through electrostatic bonding or complexation with functional groups on the cell wall. At the plant level, roots can absorb heavy metals or organic compounds from the soil solution through active root processes or adsorption on the root surface. The main advantage of biosorption is its ability to remove pollutants from the environment at relatively low cost and without requiring the use of harmful chemical additives. In addition, biosorption can also be applied in various environmental conditions and can be integrated with other bioremediation methods to optimize their efficiency. However, the success of biosorption depends on various factors, including the type of pollutant, type of biomass used, environmental conditions, and other factors. Therefore, careful planning and selection of appropriate biomass is important for the successful implementation of biosorption in overcoming environmental pollution problems. In continuing the explanation of biosorption, here are some additional points that can be included: 1. Selectivity: Biosorption can have a high degree of selectivity towards certain pollutants. Biomass used in the biosorption process can be selected or modified to increase its ability to specifically absorb certain types of pollutants, thereby enabling the separation or purification of pollutants in solution. 2. Biomass regeneration: One of the advantages of biosorption is its ability to be regenerated and reused after the absorption process. Several regeneration methods, such as backwashing or drying, can be applied to return biomass to its initial condition after it has saturated pollutants. 3. Use of alternative biomass: Apart from microorganisms and plants, there are also alternative biomass that can be used in the biosorption process, such as bacteria, algae, fungi, or organic waste biomass. The use of alternative biomass can open up opportunities to reduce organic waste or utilize unused biomass resources. 4. Large-scale application: Biosorption can be applied on a large scale to clean industrial wastewater, agricultural waste, or polluted soil. This process can be integrated into existing waste management systems or developed as an independent system to clean polluted environments. 5. Research and development: The study of biosorption continues to grow, opening up opportunities for research and development of new technologies in the use of biomass to clean the environment. This research includes the development of new biomass, surface modification of biomass, or the development of more efficient biosorption techniques. By considering these aspects, biosorption becomes an attractive method for managing environmental pollution, with the potential to become an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative for cleaning polluted environments. Some of the main functions of biosorption include: 1. Environmental cleaning: The main function of biosorption is to clean the environment from pollutants dissolved in water, solutions, or soil. Biomass used in biosorption is able to absorb pollutants from the environment and reduce their concentration, thereby reducing the risk of environmental pollution. 2. Water and soil purification: Biosorption can be used to purify industrial wastewater, groundwater, or soil contaminated by organic or inorganic pollutants. This process helps remove pollutants from water sources and soil, thereby improving their quality and preventing the spread of pollution. 3. Pollution control: By absorbing pollutants from the environment, biosorption can serve as an effective pollution control method. By reducing the concentration of pollutants in the environment, biosorption helps in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and reduces its negative impact on flora, fauna and humans. 4. Resource recovery: In some cases, biosorption can be used to recover polluted natural resources, such as agricultural soil contaminated by pesticides or industrial waste. By cleaning polluted natural resources, biosorption helps increase productivity and environmental sustainability. 5. Waste reduction: In an industrial context, biosorption can be used as part of a waste management process to reduce the amount of waste produced. By using biomass to absorb pollutants from wastewater or other liquid waste, biosorption helps in reducing the amount of waste discharged into the environment. 6. Technology development: Research and development in the field of biosorption continues, opening up opportunities for the development of new technology and innovation in the use of biomass to clean the environment. This can produce a biosorption method that is more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly in the long term. Thus, biosorption has various important functions in an effort to maintain environmental cleanliness and maintain the sustainability of the ecosystem for future generations.