Cadmium contamination of water presents significant ecological and health risks and frequently necessitates expensive and energy-intensive remediation methods. This study investigated the biosorption of Cd(II) ions from wastewater utilizing agricultural waste-derived biosorbents, specifically vine shoots, grape stalks, and exhausted grape pomace. The results indicate that grape stalks exhibited the highest maximum adsorption capacity (qmax = 77.52 mg/g) and removal efficiency (87.67%), followed closely by vine shoots (qmax = 40.82 mg/g, 93.86% removal) and exhausted grape pomace (qmax = 26.67 mg/g, 73.02% removal). Kinetic studies revealed that the biosorption process adhered to a pseudo second-order model, suggesting chemisorption, while isothermic studies indicated that the Langmuir model best described the adsorption behavior. A Life Cycle Assessment demonstrated that grape stalks are the most sustainable option, with lower energy consumption (17.55 kJ) and shorter processing times (10 min) than other biosorbents. The findings underscore the potential of using winery waste as an effective and environmentally sustainable solution for heavy metal removal, promoting sustainable practices within the wine industry, and contributing to circular economic principles.
Sabando-Fraile et al. (2026) studied this question.