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Petrangeli Papini M, Cerra S, Feriaud D, Pettiti I, Lorini L, Fratoddi I. Biochar/Biopolymer Composites for Potential In Situ Groundwater Remediation. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:3899. [PMID: 39203078 PMCID: PMC11355651 DOI: 10.3390/ma17163899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the use of pine wood biochar (BC) waste gasified at 950 °C as fillers in polymer matrices to create BC@biopolymer composites with perspectives in groundwater remediation. Four biochar samples underwent different sieving and grinding processes and were extensively characterized via UV-Vis, FTIR, and FESEM-EDS, highlighting the fact that that BCs are essentially graphitic in nature with a sponge-like morphology. The grinding process influences the particle size, reducing the specific surface area by about 30% (evaluated by BET). The adsorption performances of raw BC were validated via an adsorption isotherm using trichloroethylene (TCE) as a model contaminant. A selected BC sample was used to produce hydrophilic, stable polymer composites with chitosan (CS), alginate (ALG), potato starch (PST), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) via a simple blending approach. Pilot sedimentation tests over 7 days in water identified BC@PST and BC@CMC as the most stable suspensions due to a combination of both hydrogen bonds and physical entrapment, as studied by FTIR. BC@CMC showed optimal distribution and retention properties without clogging in breakthrough tests. The study concludes that biopolymer-based biochar composites with improved stability in aqueous environments hold significant promise for addressing various groundwater pollution challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Petrangeli Papini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.P.); (I.P.); (L.L.); (I.F.)
| | - Sara Cerra
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.P.); (I.P.); (L.L.); (I.F.)
| | - Damiano Feriaud
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.P.); (I.P.); (L.L.); (I.F.)
| | - Ida Pettiti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.P.); (I.P.); (L.L.); (I.F.)
| | - Laura Lorini
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.P.); (I.P.); (L.L.); (I.F.)
| | - Ilaria Fratoddi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.P.P.); (I.P.); (L.L.); (I.F.)
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Research Center for Nanotechnology Applied to Engineering of Sapienza (CNIS), Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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2
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Li X, Wang L, Hou D. Layered double hydroxides for simultaneous and long-term immobilization of metal(loid)s in soil under simulated aging. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174777. [PMID: 39009152 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Soil contamination by toxic metals and metalloids poses a grave threat to food security and human well-being. Immobilization serves as an effective method for the remediation of soils contaminated by metal(loid)s. Nevertheless, the ability of soil amendments for simultaneous immobilization of cations and oxyanions, and the long-term effectiveness of immobilization need substantial improvements. In this study, we used a series of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), including Mg-Al LDH and Ca-Al LDH fabricated from pure chemicals, and one waste-derived LDH synthesized using granulated ground blast furnace slag (GGBS), for the immobilization of Cu, Zn, As, and Sb in a historically contaminated soil obscured from a mining-affected region. The LDHs were first subjected to iron (Fe) modification to enhance their short-term immobilization performances toward metal(loid)s. Furthermore, the long-term effectiveness of Fe-modified LDHs was examined via two sets of experiments, including column experiments simulating 2-year water leaching, and accelerated aging experiments simulating 100-year proton attack. It was observed that Fe-modified LDHs, either made from pure chemicals or GGBS, demonstrated promising long-term immobilization performances toward metal(loid)s. Results from this study are encouraging for the future use of LDHs for simultaneous and long-term immobilization of metal(loid)s in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanru Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Liuwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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3
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Rushimisha IE, Li X, Han T, Chen X, Abdoul Magid ASI, Sun Y, Li Y. Application of biochar on soil bioelectrochemical remediation: behind roles, progress, and potential. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024; 44:120-138. [PMID: 36137569 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2119547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) that combine electrochemistry with biological methods have gained attention in the remediation of polluted environments, including wastewater, sludge, sediments, and soils. The most attractive advantage of BESs is that the solid electrode is used as an inexhaustible electron acceptor or donor, and biocurrent directly converted from organics can afford the reaction energy of contaminant breakdown, crossing the internal energy barrier of endothermic degradation, which achieves a continuous biodegradation process without the simultaneous use of exogenetic chemicals and bioelectricity recovery. However, soil BESs are hindered by expensive electrode materials, difficult pollutant and electron transfer, low microbial competitive activity, and biocompatibility in contamination remediation. Fortunately, introducing biochar into soil BESs could reveal a high potential in addressing these BES inadequacies. The characteristics of biochar, e.g., conductivity, transferability, high specific surface area, high porosity, large functional groups, and biocompatibility, can improve the performance of soil BESs. In fact, biochar not only carries electrons but also transfers nutrients, pollutants, and even bacteria by facilitating transmission in the bioelectric field of BESs. Consequently, the abilities of biochar make for better functionality of BESs. This review collates information on the roles, application, and progress of biochar in soil BESs, and future prospects are given. It is beneficial for environmental researchers and engineers to extend BES application in environmental remediation and to assist the progress of carbon sequestration and emission reduction based on the inertia of biochar and the blocking of electron flow to form methane.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Ting Han
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaodong Chen
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Tianjin, China
| | | | - Yan Sun
- Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongtao Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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4
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Bolan S, Hou D, Wang L, Hale L, Egamberdieva D, Tammeorg P, Li R, Wang B, Xu J, Wang T, Sun H, Padhye LP, Wang H, Siddique KHM, Rinklebe J, Kirkham MB, Bolan N. The potential of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 886:163968. [PMID: 37164068 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Biochar can be an effective carrier for microbial inoculants because of its favourable properties promoting microbial life. In this review, we assess the effectiveness of biochar as a microbial carrier for agricultural and environmental applications. Biochar is enriched with organic carbon, contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as nutrients, and has a high porosity and moisture-holding capacity. The large number of active hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonic acid group, amino, imino, and acylamino hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups are effective for microbial cell adhesion and proliferation. The use of biochar as a carrier of microbial inoculum has been shown to enhance the persistence, survival and colonization of inoculated microbes in soil and plant roots, which play a crucial role in soil biochemical processes, nutrient and carbon cycling, and soil contamination remediation. Moreover, biochar-based microbial inoculants including probiotics effectively promote plant growth and remediate soil contaminated with organic pollutants. These findings suggest that biochar can serve as a promising substitute for non-renewable substrates, such as peat, to formulate and deliver microbial inoculants. The future research directions in relation to improving the carrier material performance and expanding the potential applications of this emerging biochar-based microbial immobilization technology have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Australia
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Lauren Hale
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, 9611 South Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648-9757, United States
| | - Dilfuza Egamberdieva
- Institute of Fundamental and Applied Research, National Research University (TIIAME), Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan; Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research, Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Priit Tammeorg
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rui Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaping Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongwen Sun
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lokesh P Padhye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Hailong Wang
- Biochar Engineering Technology Research Center of Guangdong Province, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong 528000, People's Republic of China
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Agronomy, Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) National Research Network, Australia.
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5
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Zhao XY, Zhang ZY, Huang YM, Feng FJ. Enhancing the effect of biochar ageing on reducing cadmium accumulation in Medicago sativa L. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 862:160690. [PMID: 36481133 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Biochar (BC) application to farmland soil can reduce the mobility and bioavailability of Cd. Nevertheless, BC is prone to natural ageing in soil, which alters its structure, physicochemical properties, thereby affecting the immobilisation of Cd. We used dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles to mimic the natural ageing of BC, and used adsorption experiments to explore the changes of Cd adsorption capacity of BC and aged BC (ABC). We conducted a pot experiment to investigate the effects of BC and ABC on soil biotic and abiotic factors, alfalfa growth, and Cd accumulation in agricultural soils with high and low Cd concentrations. The increase of specific surface area, pore size, oxygen containing functional groups and mineral composition leads to better adsorption capacity of ABC. The adsorption of Cd(II) by BC and ABC is mainly by monolayer adsorption and chemical adsorption. Applying BC and ABC to Cd-contaminated soil significantly increased the aboveground biomass and decreased the Cd accumulation by reducing the Cd bioconcentration factor in alfalfa. At high Cd levels, adding BC and ABC reduced the Cd content in alfalfa shoots by 32.8 % and 35.1 %, respectively; the fixing effect of ABC was better than that of BC. Adding BC and ABC significantly increased the microbial biomass and geometric mean of enzymes. BC addition increased soil pH by 0.32-0.36 units and cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 15.5 %. Adding BC and ABC significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) by 5.7 % and 6.2 %, respectively. Random forest analysis showed that SOM, total organic carbon, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase were important variables for Cd content in alfalfa shoots. Structural equation modelling showed that BC indirectly affected the Cd content in alfalfa shoots by affecting soil pH, CEC, SOM, microbial biomass, and microbial metabolic activity. BC has a long-term effect on alleviating Cd pollution in farmland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yu Zhao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhuo-Yun Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yu-Meng Huang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Fu-Juan Feng
- College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
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6
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Sui L, Tang C, Cheng K, Yang F. Biochar addition regulates soil phosphorus fractions and improves release of available phosphorus under freezing-thawing cycles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157748. [PMID: 35926613 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the shortage of phosphorus resources is becoming more and more serious. In general, phosphorus fertilizer is poorly utilized in soil and tends to gradually accumulate. Freezing-thawing cycles (FT) are seasonal phenomenon occurring in high latitudes and altitudes regions, which have obvious influence on the form of phosphorus in soil. This study investigates the effect of biochar on soil physicochemical properties, phosphorus form and availability under FT and thermostatic incubation (TH) condition. Compared with treatment without biochar, 4 % biochar addition increased the soil pH value, electrical conductivity, organic matter and Olsen-P of soil by a maximum of 0.76, 285.55 μS/cm, 28.60 g/kg and 139.27 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, according to Hedley-P classification results, under FT condition, the content of labile phosphorus pool is always higher than those under TH. FT may promote the conversion of phosphorus from other fractions to labile phosphorus pool. Redundancy analysis results show that biochar addition and FT can not only directly change the soil phosphorus pool, but also alter the soil physicochemical properties and microbial community, which further affect the adsorption and mineralization of phosphorus in soil. The results of this study will be devoted to understanding the changes in soil phosphorus fractions under the effects of biochar addition and FT, providing references for agricultural production in areas where FT occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Sui
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Joint Laboratory of Northeast Agricultural University and Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (NEAU-MPICI), Harbin 150030, China
| | - Chunyu Tang
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Joint Laboratory of Northeast Agricultural University and Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (NEAU-MPICI), Harbin 150030, China
| | - Kui Cheng
- College of Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Joint Laboratory of Northeast Agricultural University and Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (NEAU-MPICI), Harbin 150030, China
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Joint Laboratory of Northeast Agricultural University and Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (NEAU-MPICI), Harbin 150030, China.
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7
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Kaya D, Croft K, Pamuru ST, Yuan C, Davis AP, Kjellerup BV. Considerations for evaluating innovative stormwater treatment media for removal of dissolved contaminants of concern with focus on biochar. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135753. [PMID: 35963377 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater from complex land uses is an important contributor of contaminants of concern (COCs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Copper, and Zinc to receiving water bodies. A large portion of these COCs bind to particulate matter in stormwater, which can be removed through filtration by traditional media. However, the remaining dissolved COCs can be significant and require special attention such as engineered treatment measures and media. Biochar is a porous sorbent produced from a variety of organic materials. In the last decade biochar has been gaining attention as a stormwater treatment medium due to low cost compared to activated carbon. However, biochar is not a uniform product and selection of an appropriate biochar for the removal of specific contaminants can be a complex process. Biochars are synthesized from various feedstocks and using different manufacturing approaches, including pyrolysis temperature, impact the biochar properties thus affecting ability to remove stormwater contaminants. The local availability of specific biochar products is another important consideration. An evaluation of proposed stormwater control measure (SCM) media needs to consider the dynamic conditions associated with stormwater and its management, but the passive requirements of the SCM. The media should be able to mitigate flood risks, remove targeted COCs under high flow SCM conditions, and address practical considerations like cost, sourcing, and construction and maintenance. This paper outlines a process for selecting promising candidates for SCM media and evaluating their performance through laboratory tests and field deployment with special attention to unique stormwater considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devrim Kaya
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Kristen Croft
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Sai Thejaswini Pamuru
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Chen Yuan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Allen P Davis
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Birthe V Kjellerup
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
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Ren X, He J, Chen Q, He F, Wei T, Jia H, Guo J. Marked changes in biochar's ability to directly immobilize Cd in soil with aging: implication for biochar remediation of Cd-contaminated soil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:73856-73864. [PMID: 35622283 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21000-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the change in biochar's ability to directly immobilize Cd in soil, a successive wheat cultivation experiment was conducted. Three biochars with different Cd adsorption mechanisms were added to the soils, and a mesh bag was used to separate the soil particles (> 1 μm) from the biochar. The results showed that the ash contents and anionic contents (CO32- and PO43-) of the biochar decreased with the cultivation time, while the oxygen-containing functional group content and CEC of the biochar increased. As a result, the Cd concentration on biochar decreased, by 68.9% for WBC300, while unstable Cd species (acid soluble and reducible fraction of Cd) on biochar increased with successive cultivation, increasing from 3 to 17% for WBC300 in FS. Correspondingly, the ability of biochar to inhibit Cd accumulation in wheat decreased. The results of this study illustrated that the ability of biochar to directly immobilize Cd in soil is not permanent; it gradually decreases with aging in soil. The adsorption mechanism of Cd on biochar changed from precipitation to complexation, and ion exchange processes could be the main reason.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhao Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jiayi He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiao Chen
- Shaanxi Huadi Survey and Design Consulting Co. LTD, Xi'an, 710020, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Wei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Honglei Jia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China
| | - Junkang Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, People's Republic of China
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Swaren L, Safari S, Konhauser KO, Alessi DS. Pyrolyzed biomass-derived nanoparticles: a review of surface chemistry, contaminant mobility, and future research avenues to fill the gaps. BIOCHAR 2022; 4:33. [PMID: 35673519 PMCID: PMC9163009 DOI: 10.1007/s42773-022-00152-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles are abundant in the subsurface, soil, streams, and water bodies, and are often a critical control on elemental speciation, transport and cycling in the natural environment. This review provides an overview of pyrolyzed biomass-derived nanoparticles (PBNPs), their surface properties and reactivity towards aqueous species. We focus specifically on biochar-derived nanoparticles and activated carbon-derived nanoparticles which fall under our classification of PBNPs. Activated carbon-iron (nano)composites are included in some instances where there are significant gaps in literature because of their environmental relevance. Increased use of activated carbon, along with a resurgence in the manufacture and application of biochar for water treatment and soil amendment, has generated significant concerns about the mobility and toxicity of PBNPs derived from the bulk material in environmental applications. Recent examples are discussed to highlight current progress in understanding the influence of PBNPs on contaminant transport, followed by a critical discussion of gaps and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Swaren
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, 3-16 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Canada
| | - Salman Safari
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, 3-16 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Canada
| | - Kurt O. Konhauser
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, 3-16 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Canada
| | - Daniel S. Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, 3-16 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Canada
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10
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Yang K, Wang X, Cheng H, Tao S. Enhanced immobilization of cadmium and lead adsorbed on crop straw biochars by simulated aging processes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 302:119064. [PMID: 35227844 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aging is an important natural process affecting the physiochemical properties of biochar, while mechanistic understanding of its effect on the adsorbed heavy metals is still lacking. After adsorption of Cd2+ and Pb2+, biochars produced from wheat straw (WS) and maize straw (MS) at 300 and 500 °C (denoted as WS300, WS500, MS300, and MS500, respectively) were subjected to 60 cycles of wet-dry or freeze-thaw aging. The results showed that simulated aging treatment transformed the Cd2+ and Pb2+ adsorbed on the low-temperature biochars from the readily and potentially bioavailable fractions into the non-bioavailable one, while the fractionation of Cd2+ and Pb2+ adsorbed on WS500 and Pb2+ on MS500 barely changed. Spectroscopic characterization revealed that simulated aging enhanced the complexation of Cd2+ and precipitation of Pb2+ on the biochars. These findings suggest that heavy metals could be effectively immobilized on low-temperature biochars amended to contaminated soils in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yang
- College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xilong Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hefa Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Shu Tao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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11
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Gwara S, Wale E, Odindo A. Behavioral intentions of rural farmers to recycle human excreta in agriculture. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5890. [PMID: 35393503 PMCID: PMC8989988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09917-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in developing human excreta recovery pathways and processes for maximum nutrient recovery and contaminant elimination. The demand segment has often been ignored as an area for future research, especially during the technology development. The findings from the few published articles on social acceptance show missing and inconclusive influence of demographic, sociological, and economic farmer-characteristics. This study endeavours to close this gap by using the social psychological theories, technology adoption theories and the new ecological paradigm to investigate the factors that influence the behavioral intentions of rural farmers to recycle human excreta in agriculture. Study findings show that social acceptance was driven by awareness, religiosity, income, source of income, and environmental dispositions. Perceived behavioral control represents a potential barrier to human excreta reuse. The study recommends the demographic, cultural, sociological, and economic mainstreaming of dissemination strategies of circular bioeconomy approaches within the context of agricultural innovation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gwara
- Discipline of Agricultural Economics, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa.
| | - Edilegnaw Wale
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
| | - Alfred Odindo
- Discipline of Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa
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12
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Wang H, Nan Q, Waqas M, Wu W. Stability of biochar in mineral soils: Assessment methods, influencing factors and potential problems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150789. [PMID: 34619191 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Amendment of biochar into mineral soils has been reported a promising strategy for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation due to its high stability. Currently, most studies on the stability of biochar are mainly focused on the assessment methods and influencing factors. The assessment methods include qualitative evaluation of physical and chemical properties, and utilization of kinetic mineralization models on the basis of laboratory incubation. As a result, these assessment methods are difficult to accurately reflect the real impact of the interaction between biochar and environmental factors. This article reviews the existing assessment methods, influencing factors, and the impact of environmental aging on the stability of biochar. It is found that under the influence of environmental factors, existing assessment methods are likely to overestimate the stability of biochar in mineral soils. Therefore, more emphases should be laid on the analyses of the deficiencies in the existing assessment methods on the stability of biochar in the consideration of practical applications. Long-term field experiment is strongly recommended to establish a more accurate assessment model on biochar stability for the evaluation of its carbon sequestration potential in mineral soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qiong Nan
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Muhammad Waqas
- Department of Botanical and Environmental Science, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan
| | - Weixiang Wu
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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13
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Rasul M, Cho J, Shin HS, Hur J. Biochar-induced priming effects in soil via modifying the status of soil organic matter and microflora: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 805:150304. [PMID: 34536873 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biochar (BC) application has the potential to be integrated into a carbon-trading framework owing to its multiple environmental and economic benefits. Despite the increasing research attention over the past ten years, the mechanisms of BC-induced priming effects on soil organic carbon mineralization and their influencing factors have not been systematically considered. This review aims to document the recent progress in BC research by focusing on (1) how BC-induced priming effects change the soil environment, (2) the factors governing the mechanisms underlying BC amendment effects on soils, and (3) how BC amendments alter soil microbial communities and nutrient dynamics. Here, we carried out a detailed examination of the origins of different biochar, its pyrolysis conditions, and potential interactions with various factors that affect BC characteristics and mechanisms of C mineralization in primed soil. These findings clearly addressed the strong linkage between BC properties and abiotic factors that leads to change the soil microclimate, priming effects, and carbon stabilization. This review offers an overview of a fragmented body of evidence and the current state of understanding to support the application of BC in different soil environments with the aim of sustaining or improving the agricultural crop production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rasul
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, South Korea
| | - Jinwoo Cho
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Sang Shin
- Department of Environment Energy Engineering, Seoul National University of Science & Technology, Seoul 01811, South Korea
| | - Jin Hur
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, South Korea.
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14
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Shentu J, Li X, Han R, Chen Q, Shen D, Qi S. Effect of site hydrological conditions and soil aggregate sizes on the stabilization of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) by biochar. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 802:149949. [PMID: 34525744 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biochar is a popular material that would effectively immobilize heavy metals in soil, which can greatly decrease the health risk of heavy metals. Although many previous studies have studied the immobilization of heavy metals by biochar, the influence of hydrological conditions on the immobilization effect is still not clear. This paper carried out column experiments to study the effect of fluctuating groundwater table on Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn distribution and speciation with the addition of biochar from pyrolysis of swine manure. Experimental results showed that biochar could significantly decrease the leaching toxicity of Cu and Ni by 24.4% and 44.7% respectively, while the immobilization effect of Pb and Zn was relatively insignificant. The average reduction percentage of bioavailable Cu was 14.5%, 39.5% and 33.3% in the unsaturated zone, fluctuating zone and saturated zone respectively, showing the better immobilization effect in the fluctuating zone and saturated zone. The residual fraction of heavy metals increased significantly after the addition of biochar, and the increase of residual fraction was larger in small soil aggregates. This study helped illustrate the influence of hydrological conditions and soil aggregate sizes on the stabilization effect of heavy metals by biochar, which could be used to guide the remediation process of sites contaminated by heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Shentu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China; Instrumental Analysis Center of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China
| | - Ruifang Han
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China
| | - Dongsheng Shen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China; Instrumental Analysis Center of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China
| | - Shengqi Qi
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China; Instrumental Analysis Center of Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310012, PR China.
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15
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He M, Xiong X, Wang L, Hou D, Bolan NS, Ok YS, Rinklebe J, Tsang DCW. A critical review on performance indicators for evaluating soil biota and soil health of biochar-amended soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 414:125378. [PMID: 33652215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Amendment of soil with biochar has been widely investigated for soil quality improvement in terms of biotic and abiotic functionalities. The performance of biochar-based amendment varies according to the site characteristics, biochar properties, and soil management targets. There is no existing review that summarizes a broad range of performance indicators to evaluate the health of biochar-amended soil. Based on the latest studies on soil amendment with biochar, this review critically analyzes the soil health indicators that reveal the potential impact of biochar amendment with respect to physicochemical properties, biological properties, and overall soil quality. It is found that soil pH, soil aggregate stability, and soil organic matter are the basic indicators that could influence most of the soil functions, which should be prioritized for measurement. Relevant functional indicators (e.g., erosion rate, crop productivity, and ecotoxicity) should be selected based on the soil management targets of biochar application in agricultural soils. With this review, it is expected that target-oriented performance indicators can be selected in future studies for field-relevant evaluation of soil amendment by biochar under different situations. Therefore, a more cost-effective and purpose-driven assessment protocol for biochar-amended soils can be devised by using relevant measurable attributes suggested in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjing He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xinni Xiong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Construction Materials, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Nanthi S Bolan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, Faculty of Science, Enginnering and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils (Soil CRC), Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- Laboratory of Soil, and Groundwater-Management, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water, and Waste, Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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Jayachandran S, Chakraborty P, Sarkar A, Kumar D, Babu PC. Post depositional changes of sedimentary organic matter influence chromium speciation in continental slope sediments - A case study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 777:145783. [PMID: 33676215 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Influences of post depositional changes of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) on chromium (Cr) speciation in continental slope sediments from the east and west coast of India are presented in this study. Average concentrations of total sedimentary Cr (CrT) in the slope areas of both the coasts were not elevated and ranged from 56.8 to 163 mg·kg-1 (avg. 97.3 ± 28.3 mg·kg-1). The geology of adjacent land masses influenced sedimentary Cr concentration in the slope areas. Geochemical fractionation study showed that a major fraction (51.6-159 mg·kg-1; avg. 89.6 ± 24.3 mg·kg-1) of the total sedimentary Cr was present in residual part of the sediments. Prime hosting phase for non-residual sedimentary Cr was oxidizable binding phase (SOM) (1.4-23.9 mg·kg-1; avg. 6.7 ± 6.3 mg·kg-1) followed by reducing binding phase (Fe/Mn-oxyhydroxide phase) (0.1-1.7 mg·kg-1; avg. 0.7 ± 0.3 mg·kg-1). Concentration of Cr (VI) in the slope sediments, varied from 0.2 to 8.3 mg·kg-1 (avg. 1.2 ± 1.0 mg·kg-1), was also predominantly associated with the SOM. The δ13Corg values of the SOM (ranged from -19.4 to -21.4‰; avg. -20.3 ± 0.5‰) suggests that they were derived from marine sources. Based on molar C/N ratio (ranged from 6.3-12.9; avg. 9.0 ± 2.0), the SOM were classified as labile organic matter. Increasing molar C/N ratio in the studied sediments was used as a proxy to reflect post depositional changes of the SOM. Association of normalized Cr (VI) (with respect to CrT) increased with increasing SOM concentration by 0.008 mg·kg-1. One unit increase of sedimentary molar C/N ratio was found to increase normalized Cr (VI) (w.r.t. CrT) by 0.003 mg·kg-1 in the sediments. This study suggests that post-depositional changes of SOM may increase Cr binding capacity and control its speciation and mobility in marine sediment system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saranya Jayachandran
- Centre for Oceans, Rivers, Atmosphere and Land Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India; Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India
| | - Parthasarathi Chakraborty
- Centre for Oceans, Rivers, Atmosphere and Land Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India; Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India.
| | - Arindam Sarkar
- Regional Research Station (R & L Zone), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Jhargram, West Bengal 721507, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India
| | - Prakash C Babu
- Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India
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