homogeneous diffusion coefficient (Dh) obtained is in the range 0.2–0.9 10 10 m2 s 1. NICA isotherm is demonstrated to constitute a substantial improvement with respect to a simpler Langmuir competitive equation. The binding parameters were chosen to provide the best simultaneous description of the equilibrium experiments. Values of log eK Cu (4.3), nCu (1) and p (0.31) in NICA isotherm, and log KCu (3.5–5) in Langmuir competitive model, have been obtained. These parameters have been also used to predict the competition between copper and cadmium for binding sites. Two acids, HNO3 and HCl, have been tested to evaluate their effectiveness to release copper from the metal-laden biomass.