Abstract
The presence of heavy metals in water poses a critical risk to human health and ecosystems, particularly in cocoa-producing regions where agro-industrial and mining activities converge. This work provides a structured review on the use of cocoa residues as a platform for developing biosorbents, carbonaceous materials, and nanomaterials for heavy metal removal in aqueous systems. A search of scientific databases was conducted, and studies were selected based on clear material characterization and experimental evaluation in aqueous phase. The evidence was organized according to residue type and derived material, analyzing performance, advantages, and limitations. Research gaps were identified regarding the scarcity of tests in real-world matrices, limited information on regeneration and service lifetime, challenges in the treatment of Hg(II), and the lack of comprehensive assessments of sustainability and feasibility in Latin American contexts.
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