Macroalgae as natural cation exchangers for the treatment of galvanic wastewater.
Raw Laminaria hyperborea showed a higher affinity for zinc from the galvanic effluent.
The zinc ions were easily displaced from the exhausted biomass using acid eluents.
The regenerated Ca-loaded alga showed similar performance to raw Ca-alga.
Na-loaded alga showed severe physical deterioration due to alginate solubilization.