Marine macroalgae Pelvetia canaliculata (Linnaeus) as natural cation exchanger for metal ions separation: A case study on copper and zinc ions removal.

Highlights: [•] Marine macroalgae Pelvetia canaliculata showed to be a natural cation exchanger. [•] Sequestration of Zn2+ and Cu2+ by raw biomass occurs by the release of light metals. [•] The amount of weak acid carboxylic groups on the biomaterial surface is 1.5mEq/g. [•] The amount of strong acid sulfonic groups on the biomaterial surface is 1.0mEq/g. [•] Selectivity coefficients of the natural exchanger increases as Na+ <H+ <Zn2+ <Cu2+. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]