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This
book has developed from more than twenty years of research
work in biosorption. In conjunction with metal uptake,
biosorption has been studied from different angles of several
natural science disciplines only to be taken over by the
engineers who recognized in it the reflection of a familiar
sorption operation, offering an opportunity of useful and
novel process applications. This is where sorption and
biosorption merge and a former natural curiosity can perhaps
yield some real-life benefits.
This book attempts to provide a
summation, an umbrella, over a number of different aspects of
biosorption which all rest on the same foundation.
I could not have assumed the task of
putting it all together if it were not for an inspired group
of my research students and co-workers putting gradually the
biosorption puzzle together in our laboratories at McGill
University. They provided me with continuous inspiration
as I endeavoured to emulate their enthusiasm and challenged
them with ever more complex tasks.
Some of them directly or indirectly
contributed to the sections of this book which are based on
their work and summarize results of their research results and
experience. I am particularly indebted to those whose
brilliant PhD theses provided material in some of the Chapters
here, namely Jinbai Yang (Sections 6.4, 6.5 and 8.4), David
Kratochvil (Sections 8.2 and 8.3) and Silke Schiewer (Section
6.3). Catherine Niu’s and Marianne Figueira’s PhD theses
are also reflected in Sections 8.1 and 6.2,
respectively. |
References to a recently completed PhD
work of Thomas A. Davis reflect the elucidation of Sargassum
seaweed structures active in biosorption.Thomas A. Davis
reflect the elucidation of Sargassum seaweed structures active
in biosorption.
It is impossible here to register
individually my indebtedness to all the members of my research
group over the years for their contribution but they all know
who they are and I just want them to also know how much I have
enjoyed and appreciated the privilege of collaborating with
them.
Finally, I am immeasurably indebted to
my family for putting up with me during the writing
labor. My son Martin kept the computers humming, my
daughter Monika understood, and my wife Zuzana kept me sane
and fed.
In producing this
book I, as customary, attacked a much bigger task than
anticipated. In an attempt to keep the production and
distribution costs low and in order to make our experience
available to our colleagues and students around the world, the
book is self-produced, self-published and
self-distributed. An order tall enough indeed. I
know that it is not perfect. But then, perfection is the
privilege of gods. Eventually, I had to declare this
production finished and it is out. Now, I would know how
to do it all better. I only hope that not only those
active in biosorption research but also those involved in
advancing the frontiers of sorption operations in general
might find some assitance in their efforts in this treatise of
many faces. |
