Potential of sugarcane bagasse in remediation of heavy metals: A review

Presence of heavy metal (HM) ions in wastewater have emerged as among the most prominent issues for improving water quality and reducing it's consequences for the environment, animal and public health. This paper mainly focuses on the remediation of HM ions from wastewater utilizing the relatively inexpensive and widely accessible agricultural waste—Sugarcane Bagasse (SCB). For this, a brief understanding of HMs was discussed (by understanding the sources and toxicity of HM, advantages and shortcomings of conventional processes). Apart from that, to understand the potential of SCB, this review would provide vital information on employing SCB biosorbent in natural and modified forms for HM removal. Therefore, various ways of SCB modifications (including physical, chemical, and composite formation), essential optimal operational conditions (solution pH, dosage of biosorbent, initial metal concentration, contact time, agitation speed, temperature, suitable isotherm and kinetic model) and involving adsorption mechanism were also studied. Finally, significant study gaps were identified to facilitate future research since SCB has been confirmed as a potential bio-adsorbent for removing HM ions. [Display omitted] •Biosorbent made from sugarcane bagasse are highly efficient in removing heavy metal ions.•Various ways for modifying sugarcane bagasse were summarised.•Sugarcane bagasse and its many modified forms have a high potential for heavy metal removal from wastewater.•The elimination of contaminants using biomass-based composites was discovered to be an ecologically friendly and efficient approach.