Herein, the adsorption efficiency of biomass based on mutated bacterial strain (Bacillus cereus M 1 16 ) impregnated into calcium alginate towards Ni (II) ions was investigated in batch system. Biomass was characterized by sophisticated instrumental analyses. The influencing process parameters on Ni (II) removal from monometallic system were studied and optimal conditions were ascertained. The performance of such biosorbent on exposure to different metal ions was also evaluated. Especially, this work focused on principal interest in Ni (II) removal in presence of surfactants (Sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100), where Sodium dodecyl sulfate offered synergetic effect as a function of sorption yield. The best fitted pseudo-second order and film diffusion kinetic model in presence of surfactants provided more suitable prediction reflecting rate controlling steps of Ni (II) removal process. Additionally, experimental data adequately fitted by both Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir-Freundlich dual isotherm model. Thermodynamically the process was found to be spontaneous, endothermic and entropy-driven. Regeneration studies were conducted with a series of five sequential adsorption-desorption cycles. Moreover, biomass proved its worth for effective removal of Ni (II) from simulated inorganic wastewater. Thus, this green chemical approach may have immense potential to be explored in the actual system.