Fixed bed biosorption and ionic exchange of aluminum by brown algae residual biomass

•Biosorption of Al3+ using RES was evaluated in fixed-bed system.•Greater efficiency of the dynamic system was obtained at 0.5 mL/min and 1 mmol/L.•Significant participation of Na+ in the ion-exchange mechanism was evidenced.•Carboxyl, amino and sulfonate groups were significant on Al3+ biosorption.•Four biosorption/desorption cycles were successfully performed.