Reduced adsorption of propanil to black carbon: effect of dissolved organic matter loading mode and molecule size

Predicting apparent adsorption capacity of sediment-amended activated carbon for hydrophobic organic contaminants using machine learning

In-situ stabilization of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) using activated carbon (AC) is a promising sediment remediation approach. However, predicting HOC adsorption capacity of sediment-amended AC remains a challenge because a prediction model is currently unavailable. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop machine learning models that could predict the apparent adsorption capacity of sediment-amended AC (KAC,apparent) for HOCs. These models were trained using 186 sets of experimental data obtained from the literature. The best-performing model among those employing various model frameworks, machine learning algorithms, and combination of candidate input features excellently predicted logKAC,apparent with a coefficient of determination of 0.94 on the test dataset. Its prediction results and experimental data for KAC,apparent agreed within 0.5 log units with few exceptions. Analysis of feature importance for the machine learning model revealed that KAC,apparent was strongly correlated with the hydrophobicity of HOCs and the particle size of AC, which agreed well with the current knowledge obtained from experimental and mechanistic assessments. On the other hand, correlation of KAC,apparent to sediment characteristics, duration of AC-sediment contact, and AC dose identified in the model disagreed with relevant arguments made in the literature, calling for further assessment in this subject. This study highlights the promising capability of machine learning in predicting adsorption capacity of AC in complex systems. It offers unique insights into the influence of model parameters on KAC,apparent.

Biochar Effectively Inhibits the Horizontal Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes via Restraining the Energy Supply for Conjugative Plasmid Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) through plasmid-mediated conjugation poses a major threat to global public health. Biochar, a widely used environmental remediation material, has remarkable impacts on the fate of ARGs. However, although biochar was reported being able to inhibit the HGT of ARGs via conjugation and transformation, little is known about the intracellular process that mediates the inhibition effects. On the other hand, as typical natural organic matter, fulvic acid is a common environmental influencer, and how it interferes with the effect of biochar on the HGT of ARGs is unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the effects on the conjugative transfer of ARGs between Escherichia coli MG1655 and E. coli HB101 carrying plasmid RP4, with biochars pyrolyzed at three temperatures and with the corresponding biochars coating with fulvic acid. Results showed that biochar with higher pyrolyzed temperature had a more substantial inhibitory effect on the conjugative transfer of the RP4 plasmid. The inhibitory effect of biochar was mainly attributed to (i) down-regulation of plasmid transfer gene expression, including the formation of conjugative transfer channel and plasmid replication, due to restrained adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy supply and (ii) decreased cell membrane permeability. Conversely, the fulvic acid coating diminished this inhibition effect of biochar, mainly by providing more ATP and strengthening intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) defense. Our findings shed light on the intracellular process that mediates the effects of biochar on the conjugative transfer of ARGs, which would provide support for using biochar to reduce the spread of ARGs.

Effect of varying pH and co-existing microcystin-LR on time- and concentration-dependent cadmium sorption by goethite-modified biochar derived from distillers' grains

Cadmium (Cd) is one dangerous and widespread heavy metal that of great environmental concern. To cost-efficiently adsorb aqueous Cd under influence of various factors, this study succeeded in fabricating goethite-modified biochar (GBC) derived from distillers' grains (DGs) for Cd sorption of different concentrations (10-100 mg L^-1) at pH of 3, 6 and 8 with and without microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Sorption kinetics and isotherms data revealed that Cd sorption capacity of GBC and unmodified BC increased as pH elevated from 3 to 6 but stabilized when pH further elevated to 8. Pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models more accurately fitted to sorption data for both BCs, implying monolayer chemisorption of Cd onto BCs. GBC exhibited more robust sorption for each Cd concentration than unmodified BC, with the maximum sorption capacity of around 28 mg g^-1 at neutral and weak alkaline pH. Notably, goethite-modification obviously increased bulk polarity, specific surface area, porosity and surface oxygenic group abundance of BC, thus strongly enhancing Cd sorption by creating more sorption sites mainly via pore-filling, electrostatic attraction, and also via complexation and cation exchange. Co-existing MC-LR of 100 μg L^-1 did not obviously affect Cd sorption by both BCs for most Cd levels at each pH, mostly because sorption mechanisms diverged between MC-LR and Cd to largely avoid their competition for sorption sties. Thus, goethite could modify DG-BC as promising and cost-efficient sorbent for Cd even with co-existing MC-LR, especially at neutral and weak alkaline pH that common in the nature. This study was greatly implicated in modifying and applying DG-BC for Cd immobilization in MC-LR laden waters with various pH circumstances.

Effects of pH and gallic acid on the adsorption of two ionizable organic contaminants to rice straw-derived biochar-amended soils

The existing form of ionizable organic contaminants (IOCs) could affect their adsorption characteristics to soil and biochar. In this study, 2 IOCs, namely, sulfadiazine and imazalil, were selected to study their adsorption by rice straw-derived biochar-amended soils, as well as the effect of pH and gallic acid on their adsorption. The results showed that the soil adsorption isotherms of the two ionizable organic contaminants could be fitted well by a linear equation and the Freundlich equation, and r² was more than 0.80. The adsorption coefficient (Kd) in the three kinds of soil ranged from 0.262 to 4.07 L kg^-1 for sulfadiazine and from 3.11 to 96.5 L kg^-1 for imazalil. After the addition of biochar, the adsorption of sulfadiazine and imazalil in the soil increased. The adsorption of sulfadiazine by biochar gradually decreased with the increase in pH; the adsorption of imazalil increased when the pH increased from 2 to 5 and then gradually decreased with increasing pH. Gallic acid enhanced the adsorption of the two IOCs to pure soil and biochar-amended soil.

Effect of fulvic acid coating on biochar surface structure and sorption properties towards 4-chlorophenol

Fulvic acid (FA) in soil ubiquitously affected the long-term benefits of biochars as soil amendments. The sorption of ionizable organic pollutants on biochars was complicated by FA because of the presence of ionic groups. To investigate the effect of FA coating on the interaction between biochars and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), sorption isotherms at pH 4.0 and 12.0 and pH-sorption edge curves were generated. The biochars derived from platane wood were pyrolyzed at 300°C, 500°C and 700°C, resulting in low-, medium- and high-temperature biochars, respectively. The FA coating increased the surface area of the low-temperature biochar but decreased those of the medium- and high-temperature biochars. After coating biochars with FA, the aromaticity and the surface charge of the biochars decreased, but the content of oxygen-containing functional groups, especially carboxyl groups, on the biochar surfaces increased. The results from the sorption isotherm and pH-sorption edge curves showed that FA coating inhibited the sorption under alkaline conditions but did not change the sorption under acidic conditions, which indicated that coating by FA not only occupied the sorption sites but also strengthened the hydrogen bonding between 4-CP and biochars. As determined by characterization of biochars before and after coating, the number of carboxyl groups on the biochar surface increased after coating, which participated in hydrogen bonding with the hydroxyl groups of non-dissociated 4-CP. This research indicated that FA in the soil influenced the interaction between biochar with 4-CP, and the influences varied mainly due to the formation of hydrogen bonds at different pH values. This study could help us better understand the environmental behavior of biochar after aging, and provided a reference for sustainable utilization of biochar.

Comparative study for microcystin-LR sorption onto biochars produced from various plant- and animal-wastes at different pyrolysis temperatures: Influencing mechanisms of biochar properties

Diverse biochars produced from various feedstock sources (i.e., plant- and animal-wastes) at different pyrolysis temperatures (PTs) were characterized for their structural properties and sorption behaviors of aqueous microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Results indicated that MC-LR sorption capability of tested biochars varied as a function of biochar structural properties. Sorption mechanisms involved electrostatic attraction, pore-filling, hydrogen-bonding effect and π-π electron donor-acceptor interaction, but predominant mechanisms varied for different biochars. At the same PT (300 or 600°C), chicken manure-derived biochars (CMBs) exhibited stronger MC-LR sorption than others, with sorption coefficient (K_d) of 6.321-15.529Lg^-1 and 6.354-8.294Lg^-1 at aqueous equilibrium concentration (C_e) of 40 and 200μgL^-1, respectively. Higher mesoporosity, the point of zero charge and total surface groups concentration related to higher ash content of CMBs, which might be indispensable for enhancing MC-LR sorption. This study suggested that CMBs have great potential as low-cost sustainable sorbents to abate MC-LR contamination.

Insights into the attenuated sorption of organic compounds on black carbon aged in soil

Sorption of organic compounds on fresh black carbons (BCs) can be greatly attenuated in soil over time. We examined herein the changes in surface properties of maize straw-derived BCs (biochars) after aged in a black soil and their effects on the sorptive behaviors of naphthalene, phenanthrene and 1,3-dinitrobenzene. Dissolved fulvic and humic acids extracted from the soil were used to explore the role of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the aging of biochars. Chromatography analysis indicated that DOC molecules with relatively large molecular weight were preferentially adsorbed on the biochars during the aging processes. DOC sorption led to blockage of the biochar's micropores according to N₂ and CO₂ adsorption analyses. Surface chemistry of the biochars was also substantially modified, with more O-rich functional groups on the aged biochars compared to the original biochars, as evidenced by Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The changes in both the physical and chemical surface properties of biochars by DOC led to significant attenuation of the sorption capacity and nonlinearity of the nonionic organic compounds on the aged biochars. Among the tested organic compounds, phenanthrene was the most attenuated in its sorption by the aging treatments, possibly because of its relatively large molecular size and hydrophobicity. The information can help gain a mechanistic understanding of interactions between BCs and organic compounds in soil environment.

Reduced sulfentrazone phytotoxicity through increased adsorption and anionic species in biochar-amended soils

Burning straw in the field is a common agricultural practice. The effects of adding biochar derived from rice straw to soils on the phytotoxicity of sulfentrazone to Oryza sativa L. were observed. Overall, when 1 % biochar was added to three different soils, the phytotoxicity of sulfentrazone to O. sativa L. decreased, and the concentration that inhibits growth by 50 % (IC50) increased by 1.4 to 7.6 times. To illuminate the influencing mechanisms, the changes in sulfentrazone adsorption to the soil, the soil pH, and the bioavailable sulfentrazone extracted from the soil solution using hollow fiber-based liquid-phase microextraction were studied. The Freundlich constant (K f ) of sulfentrazone to the soil increased 1.5 to 25 times relative to the K f in the three unamended soils, and the soil pH increased by 0.36 to 1.36 units resulted in a fraction of dissociated sulfentrazone increased by 10.2-17.4 %. In addition, the average concentrations of sulfentrazone in the three unamended soil solutions were 1.3-6.1 times relative to those in the three biochar-amended soil solutions. These results suggest that the sulfentrazone adsorption and soil pH increased when soils were amended with biochar, which decreased the bioavailable concentrations and reduced its phytotoxicity to O. sativa L.

Relationships between aging of PAHs and soil properties

Sequestration and diffusion of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seven Chinese soils were investigated for up to 200 days in sterile soil microcosms as functions of soil property and aging time. The aging of the PAHs, assessed using a mild extractant that removes primarily the labile fraction, showed a biphasic behavior. The rapid diffusion from labile to nonlabile domains was mainly dependent upon the distribution of meso- and micropore fraction and total organic carbon content. Meanwhile, the slow diffusion was found to decrease with the increase of the content of soil organic carbon, particularly of hard organic carbon (p < 0.01) and the meso- and micropore fraction, as well as with the increasing molecular size of PAHs. This work offers evidence that analyses of organic carbon fractionation and porosity are important to adequately assess the mechanistic basis of sequestration and diffusion of organic contaminants in soils.