With the rapid development of industrial society, water pollution has emerged as a critical global challenge, driving the urgent need for efficient purification methods and high-performance adsorbents to remove inorganic and organic pollutants. Among these contaminants, heavy metal ions and synthetic dyes are of particular concern due to their persistence and toxicity. Bacterial cellulose (BC), a remarkable biopolymer with exceptional physicochemical properties, has gained widespread recognition as a sustainable and effective adsorbent. This review begins by outlining the historical context, unique characteristics, and biosynthetic conditions of BC, with emphasis on its production from waste-derived feedstocks as an eco-friendly strategy for pollution mitigation. We then explore the diverse industrial applications of BC, focusing on its pivotal role in adsorbing heavy metal ions and dyes from aqueous solutions. The adsorption process is systematically investigated, including key influencing factors (e.g., pH, temperature, and surface modification) and underlying mechanisms (e.g., electrostatic interactions, complexation, and ion exchange). A comprehensive analysis of recent advances in BC-based adsorbents for heavy metal ions and dyes removal is presented, highlighting their performance and optimization strategies. Finally, we discuss the commercial viability, scalability challenges, and prospects of BC-based adsorption technologies, providing insights for sustainable water treatment solutions.

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