INTEGRATED BIOTECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS FOR THEREMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM WASTEWATER KALIUZHNYI Y. A., MEL`NICK V. M.

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ISSN 2410-776X (Online)
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cover biotech acta general

Biotechnologia Acta Т. 19, No. 4, 2026
P. 58-67, Bibliography 50, Engl.
UDC 579.66:628.35:628.54:546.3:662.767
doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/biotech19.04.058

Full text: (PDF, in English)

INTEGRATED BIOTECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS FOR THEREMOVAL
OF HEAVY METALS FROM WASTEWATER

KALIUZHNYI Y. A. (https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4442-2936)
MEL`NICK V. M. (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0004-7218)

National Technical University of Ukraine «Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute»

Aim. To analyze the transformation of industrial wastewater treatment towards integrated biotechnological complexes based on circular economy principles, focusing on synergistic mechanisms of simultaneous biogas production and heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu) utilization.

Methods. A systematic review of scientific literature (2015–2025) was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Traditional physicochemical methods were compared with biotechnological approaches, including anaerobic digestion, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and bioelectrochemical systems.

Results. Traditional treatment methods are energy-intensive and generate toxic secondary waste. In contrast, anaerobic digestion enables energy recovery from high-strength wastewater, with optimization strategies (substrate pretreatment, micronutrient addition, enhanced electron transfer) increasing methane yield by 20–40%. Biotechnological metal removal mechanisms include biosorption, bioaccumulation, Cr(VI) bioreduction to Cr(III), bioleaching, and bioprecipitation. Advanced developments include metal-resistant microbial consortia, hybrid carrier materials (activated carbon with iron nanoparticles), “green” nanoparticle synthesis (92.5% Cu²⁺ removal), and digital twin technologies for adaptive process control.

Conclusions. Biotechnological methods transform waste into resources by integrating biogas production with metal recycling. Key future directions include synthetic biology, metagenomics, and digitalization of biotechnological process control.

Keywords: biotechnology, industrial water treatment, microorganisms, biogas, anaerobic fermentation, recycling.

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