Removal of metal ions by Phormidium bigranulatum (Cyanobacteria)-dominated mat in batch and continuous flow systems

► Live Phormidium mat successfully removed metal ions in batch and continuous system. ► Metal removal approached equilibrium within 4 h, independent of mat thickness. ► In batch and continuous systems, metal removal increased with increasing mat area. ► The mat removed test metals from multi-metal solution with similar efficiency. ► Batch system is a better option for commercial application of the test mat.