Biosorption of Cr(VI) onto Auricularia auricula dreg biochar modified by cationic surfactant: Characteristics and mechanism

Physicochemical properties and performance of non-woody derived biochars for the sustainable removal of aquatic pollutants: A systematic review

Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from the partial combustion of different biomass residues. It can be used as a promising material for adsorbing pollutants from soil and water and promoting environmental sustainability. Extensive research has been conducted on biochars prepared from different feedstocks used for pollutant removal. However, a comprehensive review of biochar derived from non-woody feedstocks (NWF) and its physiochemical attributes, adsorption capacities, and performance in removing heavy metals, antibiotics, and organic pollutants from water systems needs to be included. This review revealed that the biochars derived from NWF and their adsorption efficiency varied greatly according to pyrolysis temperatures. However, biochars (NWF) pyrolyzed at higher temperatures (400-800 °C) manifested excellent physiochemical and structural attributes as well as significant removal effectiveness against antibiotics, heavy metals, and organic compounds from contaminated water. This review further highlighted why biochars prepared from NWF are most valuable/beneficial for water treatment. What preparatory conditions (pyrolysis temperature, residence time, heating rate, and gas flow rate) are necessary to design a desirable biochar containing superior physiochemical and structural properties, and adsorption efficiency for aquatic pollutants? The findings of this review will provide new research directions in the field of water decontamination through the application of NWF-derived adsorbents.

Recent trends and economic significance of modified/functionalized biochars for remediation of environmental pollutants

The pollution of soil and aquatic systems by inorganic and organic chemicals has become a global concern. Economical, eco-friendly, and sustainable solutions are direly required to alleviate the deleterious effects of these chemicals to ensure human well-being and environmental sustainability. In recent decades, biochar has emerged as an efficient material encompassing huge potential to decontaminate a wide range of pollutants from soil and aquatic systems. However, the application of raw biochars for pollutant remediation is confronting a major challenge of not getting the desired decontamination results due to its specific properties. Thus, multiple functionalizing/modification techniques have been introduced to alter the physicochemical and molecular attributes of biochars to increase their efficacy in environmental remediation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in developing multiple functionalized/modified biochars via biological and other physiochemical techniques. Related mechanisms and further applications of multiple modified biochar in soil and water systems remediation have been discussed and summarized. Furthermore, existing research gaps and challenges are discussed, as well as further study needs are suggested. This work epitomizes the scientific prospects for a complete understanding of employing modified biochar as an efficient candidate for the decontamination of polluted soil and water systems for regenerative development.

A review of the next-generation biochar production from waste biomass for material applications

The development of carbonaceous materials such as biochar has triggered a hot spot in materials application. Carbon material derived from biomass could be a vital platform for energy storage and conversion. Biochar-based materials deliver a novel approach to deal with the current energy-related challenges. To design and utilize the maximum potential of biochar for environmentally sustainable applications, it is crucial to understand the recent progress and advancement in molecular structures of biochar to discover a new possible field to simplify structural application networks. However, most of the studies demonstrated the application of biochar in the form of soil enhancers and bio-adsorbents, reducing soil emissions of greenhouse gases and as fertilizers. The present review on biochar highlighted the application of biochar-based materials in various energy storage and conversion sectors, comprising different types of conversion technologies, biochar formation mechanisms, modification techniques on biochar surface chemistry and its functionality, catalysts, biochar application in energy storage gadgets such as supercapacitors and nanotubes, bio-based composite materials and inorganic based composites materials. Finally, this review addressed some vital outlooks on the prospect of the functionalization and best utilization of biochar-supported materials in numerous energy storage and conversion fields. After reviewing the literature, it was directed that advanced and in-depth research is essential for structural analysis and separation, considering the macroscopic and microscopic evidence of the formed structural design of biochar for specific applications.

Removal of hexavalent chromium via biochar-based adsorbents: State-of-the-art, challenges, and future perspectives

Chromium originates from geogenic and extensive anthropogenic activities and significantly impacts natural ecosystems and human health. Various methods have been applied to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aquatic environmental matrices, including adsorption via different adsorbents, which is considered to be the most common and low-cost approach. Biochar materials have been recognized as renewable carbon sorbents, pyrolyzed from various biomass at different temperatures under limited/no oxygen conditions for heavy metals remediation. This review summarizes the sources, chemical speciation & toxicity of Cr(VI) ions, and raw and modified biochar applications for Cr(VI) remediation from various contaminated matrices. Mechanistic understanding of Cr(VI) adsorption using different biochar-based materials through batch and saturated column adsorption experiments is documented. Electrostatic interaction and ion exchange dominate the Cr(VI) adsorption onto the biochar materials in acidic pH media. Cr(VI) ions tend to break down as HCrO₄^-, CrO₄^2-, and Cr₂O₇^2- ions in aqueous solutions. At low pH (∼1-4), the availability of HCrO₄^- ions attributes the electrostatic forces of attraction due to the available functional groups such as -NH₄⁺, -COOH, and -OH₂⁺, which encourages higher adsorption of Cr(VI). Equilibrium isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic models help to understand Cr(VI)-biochar interactions and their adsorption mechanism. The adsorption studies of Cr(VI) are summarized through the fixed-bed saturated column experiments and Cr-contaminated real groundwater analysis using biochar-based sorbents for practical applicability. This review highlights the significant challenges in biochar-based material applications as green, renewable, and cost-effective adsorbents for the remediation of Cr(VI). Further recommendations and future scope for the implications of advanced novel biochar materials for Cr(VI) removal and other heavy metals are elegantly discussed.

Synthesis of a Novel Adsorbent Based on Chitosan Magnetite Nanoparticles for the High Sorption of Cr (VI) Ions: A Study of Photocatalysis and Recovery on Tannery Effluents

This study aims to evaluate the functionalization of chitosan biopolymer with heterocyclic moieties of 2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-dione used for enhancing the sorption of Cr ions from aqueous solution. A synthesized sorbent is a nanoscale particle (around 5–7 nm), which explains the fast kinetics of sorption. The sorbent is specified using elemental analysis (EA), FTIR, BET (nitrogen sorption desorption isotherms), TGA, and SEM-EDX analyses. Sorption properties are investigated using ultraviolet emission (UV) but also using visible light (L). In the sorption diagram, the high sorption uptake and fast kinetics observed using ultraviolet conditions are shown. This work is conducted by removing Cr ions from highly contaminated tannery effluents, which have a high concentration of Cr associated with other poisonous elements such as Cd(II) and Pb(II). Under the selected conditions, complete sorption is performed during the first 60 and 45 min with a capacity of 2.05 and 2.5 mmol Cr g−1 for the crosslinked chitosan (without functionalization) in L and UV, respectively. This sorption is enhanced by functionalizing to 5.7 and 6.8 mmol Cr g−1 at the L and UV, respectively, as well as improving the sorption kinetics to 35 and 30 min for both techniques, respectively. The PFORE, and (Langmuir and Sips equations) fit the kinetics and isotherms, respectively.

Modified Biochars and Their Effects on Soil Quality: A Review

Biochar (BC) has attracted attention due to its impacts on soil quality by enhancing soil fertility, carbon storage and contaminants immobilization. BC also induces changes in microbial community structure and enhances crop productivity in long term scenarios compared to many other organic amendments. However, information related to the role of modified BCs in altering the soil quality is still scarce. BC can be modified by using physical, chemical and microbial methods. Modified BC can change the functional groups, pore size, pore structure, surface area and chemical properties of soil, which plays a key role in changing the soil quality. The addition of modified BCs as soil amendment increased soil CEC (cation exchange capacity), EC (electron conductivity), pH, organic matter, hydraulic conductivity, soil porosity, infiltration rate, microbial activities (enzymes and community), nutrient profile and gas exchange properties, but it varies according to the soil structure and pervading environmental conditions. This study provides a basis for effective practical approaches to modifying BCs for improving soil quality.

Remediation of emerging metal pollutants using environment friendly biochar- Review on applications and mechanism

Bioremediation of heavy metals has become a major environmental concern due to their bio resistant nature and tendency to accumulate. Application of various technologies, involving physical and chemical working principles are applied and passive uptake using sorption involving eco-friendly substrates gained significant attention. Biochar, a cheaper and efficient material, offers good potential due to the greater ease of production, treatment and disposal. This review focuses on the effective application of biochar to treat water contaminated by three specific heavy metals: chromium, lead and arsenic. The on-field applications like soil amendment, industrial wastewater treatment and groundwater treatment using biochar are highlighted. The review article describes the feedstock available for biochar production, various production processes and the importance of optimum conditions like pyrolysis temperature, rate and retention time for various feedstocks reported in literature. The energy requirement of the production process can be supplied by its own energy output. Various modifications that are suitable for the biochar from distinct feedstocks are also discussed. The removal performance of biochar at different working conditions like pH, initial concentration of pollutant and adsorbent dose are consolidated. The highest removal efficiencies reported were by coconut shell biochar (Cr - 99.9%), canola straw biochar (Pb - 100%) and perilla leaf biochar (As - 100%). The adsorption mechanism is explained with reference to kinetics, isotherms, and molecular dynamics. Adsorption mechanism of most of the biochars was found to fit either Freundlich or Langmuir isotherm.

Biosorption of V(V) onto Lantana camara biochar modified by H3PO4: Characteristics, mechanism, and regenerative capacity

Biochar has been widely recognized as an environmentally efficient adsorbent for removing heavy metals. However, considering the weak adsorption performance of the original biochar to the oxygen-containing anion, the adsorption of vanadium by biochar has rarely been investigated. This study proposes that H₃PO₄ activated biochar made from an invasive plant species growing near mines is a novel material to be investigated for V(V) recovery and reuse. As a noxious, invasive plant, Lantana camara L. (LC) has become widely naturalized around the world. Biochar was prepared from LC by pyrolysis at different conditions (200 °C, 350 °C, 500 °C, and 650 °C). The adsorption effect of biochar with and without P pretreatment on V(V) in aqueous solution was compared. The results show that biochar prepared from LC impregnated with H₃PO₄ (MLBC) had the highest adsorption capacity at 500 °C, and the maximal adsorption capacity fitted by Langmuir model was 77.38 mg g^-1, which was considerably higher than that of untreated biochar (LBC, 5.89 mg g^-1). The adsorption procedure was substantially fitted by the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic. Additionally, the interaction of V(V) on MLBC is pH-dependent, and slightly acidic conditions are more favorable for adsorption. The characterization results indicated that electrostatic interaction, complexation reaction, and redox reaction were the primary mechanisms. After three cycles of adsorption, the final maximal adsorption capacity of MLBC remained at 76.03% of that of the virgin sample, demonstrating that MLBC had a recyclable capability to eliminate and restore V(V) from aqueous solutions.

A remediation approach to chromium-contaminated water and soil using engineered biochar derived from peanut shell

Hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) is one of the major environmental concerns due to its excessive discharge through effluents from the leather tanning industry. Peanut production leads to the generation of residual shells as waste calling for sustainable disposal. In this study, we employed an innovative approach of applying peanut-shell-derived pristine and engineered biochar for the remediation of Cr-contaminated wastewater and soil. The peanut shell waste was converted to biochar, which was further engineered with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, a commonly used cationic surfactant). The biochars were then used for the adsorption and immobilization of Cr(VI) in water and soil, respectively. The adsorption experiments demonstrated high Cr(VI) removal efficiency for the engineered biochar (79.35%) compared with the pristine biochar (37.47%). The Langmuir model best described the Cr(VI) adsorption onto the biochars (R² > 0.97), indicating monolayer adsorption. Meanwhile, the adsorption kinetics indicated that chemisorption was the dominant mechanism of interaction between the Cr(VI) and the biochars, as indicated by the best fitting to the pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.98). Adsorption through the fixed-bed column also presented higher Cr(VI) adsorption onto the engineered biochar (q_eq = 22.93 mg g^-1) than onto the pristine biochar (q_eq = 18.54 mg g^-1). In addition, the desorption rate was higher for the pristine biochar column (13.83 mg g^-1) than the engineered biochar column (10.45 mg g^-1), indicating that Cr(VI) was more strongly adsorbed onto the engineered biochar. A higher immobilization of Cr(VI) was observed in the soil with the engineered biochar than with the pristine biochar, as was confirmed by the significant decreases in the Cr(VI) bioavailability (92%), leachability (100%), and bioaccessibility (97%) compared with the control (soil without biochar). The CTAB-engineered biochar could thus potentially be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal and the immobilization of Cr(VI) in water and soil, respectively.

Tetracycline adsorption mechanisms by NaOH-modified biochar derived from waste Auricularia auricula dregs

Tetracycline (TC) is not easy to degrade in human or animal and can even be converted to more toxic substances. The overuse and wanton discharge of TC also caused serious problem of water pollution. This study investigated the removal of TC by biochar (BC) prepared from waste Auricularia auricula dregs and modified with NaOH by characterizing the pH and adsorption kinetics, and using isotherm models. Three BC samples were prepared and that produced using the highest concentration of NaOH (8 M) was more suitable for removing TC, where the adsorption amount was 26.65 mg/g. Pseudo-second order and Freundlich models both fitted well to the adsorption kinetics, and diffusion of the liquid film was considered the rate-controlling step. The multivariate mechanism involved electron interplay, H-bonding, and π-π electron donor-acceptor interactions. The results of this work can not only make the waste Auricularia auricula dregs resourceful, but also provide a new method for the removal of TC in wastewater, which is of great practical significance.

Artificial intelligence (AI) applications in adsorption of heavy metals using modified biochar

The process of removal of heavy metals is important due to their toxic effects on living organisms and undesirable anthropogenic effects. Conventional methods possess many irreconcilable disadvantages pertaining to cost and efficiency. As a result, the usage of biochar, which is produced as a by-product of biomass pyrolysis, has gained sizable traction in recent times for the removal of heavy metals. This review elucidates some widely recognized harmful heavy metals and their removal using biochar. It also highlights and compares the variety of feedstock available for preparation of biochar, pyrolysis variables involved and efficiency of biochar. Various adsorption kinetics and isotherms are also discussed along with the process of desorption to recycle biochar for reuse as adsorbent. Furthermore, this review elucidates the advancements in remediation of heavy metals using biochar by emphasizing the importance and advantages in the usage of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for the optimization of adsorption variables and biochar feedstock properties. The usage of AI and ML is cost and time-effective and allows an interdisciplinary approach to remove heavy metals by biochar.

Passivation and remediation of Pb and Cr in contaminated soil by sewage sludge biochar tubule

Currently, numerous studies have carried out to research the effect of biochars remediation soil heavy metals (HMs) contaminated, but there have been fewer explorations of the effect of biochars tubule on soil HMs remediation. This work aimed to study the effect of passivation and remediation of lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) contaminated soil after insert sewage sludge biochar (SSB) tubule. The results showed that the high risky fractions of Pb and Cr could be transformed into more stable fractions; also, Pb and Cr total contents are significantly decreased by SSB tubule. The mechanisms include adsorption, ion exchange, complexation, and precipitation which are concluded from the characteristic analysis. Detailly, the passivation of Pb and Cr is better when the moisture is 25% and 35%, respectively [Pb: exchangeable (F1), carbonate bound (F2) decreased by 25.1%, 16.8%, Fe-Mn oxides bound (F3) increased by 18.5%; Cr: F1 decreased by 73.0%, F2, F3, organic matter bound (F4) increased by 13.2%, 23.9%, 30.8%), respectively]. The remediation of Pb and Cr is better when the moisture is 25% and 35%, respectively, (Pb: decreased by 23.3%; Cr: decreased by 38.4%, respectively). The findings showed that the SSB tubule is effective when used for soil HMs contaminated.

Simultaneous adsorption of Cr(VI) and phenol by biochar-based iron oxide composites in water: Performance, kinetics and mechanism

The pollution of heavy metals and organic compounds has received increased attention in recent years. In the current study, a novel biochar-based iron oxide composite (FeYBC) was successfully synthesized using pomelo peel and ferric chloride solution through one-step process at moderate temperature. Results clearly demonstrate that FeYBC exhibited more efficient removal of Cr(VI) and/or phenol compared with the pristine biochar, and the maximum adsorption amounts of Cr(VI) and phenol by FeYBC could reach 24.37 and 39.32 mg g^-1, respectively. A series of characterization data suggests that several iron oxides such as Fe₂O₃, Fe⁰, FeOOH and Fe₃O₄ were formed on the FeYBC surface as well as oxygen-containing groups. Thermodynamics study indicates that Cr(VI) and phenol adsorption by FeYBC were endothermic and exothermic processes, respectively. Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second order models could better explain the Cr(VI) and phenol adsorption behaviors over FeYBC. The Cr(VI) adsorption might be primarily achieved through the ion exchange and surface complexation and reduction, whereas the π-π interaction and electron donor-acceptor complex mainly contributed to phenol adsorption. The findings indicate that the biochar-based iron oxide composites material was an efficient adsorbent for the remediation of industrial effluents containing Cr(VI) and phenol.

Utilisation of environmentally friendly okara-based biosorbent for cadmium(II) removal

Heavy metals released by various industries are among the major pollutants found in water resources. In this research, biosorption technique was employed to remove cadmium (Cd²⁺) from an aqueous system using a novel biosorbent developed from okara waste (OW), a residue from soya bean-based food and beverage processing. Characterisation results revealed that the OW biosorbent contained functional groups such as hydroxyl-, carboxyl- and sulphur-based functional groups, and the surface of the biosorbent was rough with multiple fissures which might be the binding sites for the pollutant. The effects of dosage, solution pH, initial Cd²⁺ concentration, temperature and contact time were investigated using batch adsorption mode. The biosorption equilibrium and kinetic were best described by the Langmuir and Elovich models, respectively. The maximum biosorption capacities predicted by the Langmuir model were 10.91-14.80 mg/g at 30-70 °C, and the biosorption process was favourable as evident from 0 < R_L < 1. The uptake of Cd²⁺ by the OW biosorbent was spontaneous and endothermic. The plausible biosorption mechanisms of this study could be ionic exchange, hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. The Cd²⁺ loaded OW biosorbent could be regenerated using 0.4 M of HCl solution and regeneration was studied for 4 adsorption-desorption cycles. The present investigation supported that OW can be reused as a value-added biosorbent product for the removal of Cd²⁺ from the contaminated water.

Application of biochars in the remediation of chromium contamination: Fabrication, mechanisms, and interfering species

Chromium (Cr) is one of the most toxic pollutants that has accumulated in terrestrial and aqueous systems, posing serious risks towards living beings on a worldwide scale. The immobilization, removal, and detoxification of active Cr from natural environment can be accomplished using multiple advanced materials. Biochar, a carbonaceous pyrolytic product made from biomass waste, is considered as a promising material for the elimination of Cr contamination. The preparation and properties of biochar as well as its remediation process for Cr ions have been well investigated. However, the distinct correlation of the manufacturing, characteristics, and mechanisms involved in the remediation of Cr contamination by various designed biochars is not summarized. Herein, this review provides information about the production, modification, and characteristics of biochars along with their corresponding effects on Cr stabilization. Biochar could be modified via physical, hybrid, chemical, and biological methods. The remediating mechanisms of Cr contamination using biochars involve adsorption, reduction, electron shuttle, and photocatalysis. Moreover, the coexisting ions and organic pollutants change the pattern of the remediating process of biochar in actual Cr contaminated water and soil. Finally, the present limitations and future perspectives are proposed.

Fast removal of heavy metals from water and soil samples using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Heavy metal discharge from anthropogenic sources on open soil surfaces and in natural water bodies poses serious environmental and health concerns. In addition to the contamination reduction of metals at the source, post-discharge removal of metals using nanoparticles is one of the remediation technologies being explored nowadays due to its cost-effectiveness, being environment-friendly, and easy application as a technique. In this work, magnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were synthesized chemically and then used for the removal of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) from water and soil samples. The heavy metal removal efficiency of these iron oxide nanoparticles for different metals in water was best observed at a pH of 4.5 and varied between 63.5 and 98.3%. However, the removal efficiency of these nanoparticles from the soil sample was only measured at a pH of 0.7, and heavy metal removal efficiency varied between 69.6 and 99.6%. In both soil and water samples, the most efficient remediation time was less than 20 min, after which desorption and even dissolution of the nanoparticles can occur at a highly acidic pH. Among all selected metals for removal, lead showed the best adsorption and hence removal efficiency. The nanoparticles were characterized using the TEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. The adsorption efficiency of various metals was estimated by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results suggest that the removal efficiency and stability of adsorbed products can further be improved by adjusting the pH higher towards 7 and also perhaps by modifying the nanoparticles with functional groups. The primary advantage of the magnetic un-coated nanoparticles is easy and efficient removal of the nanoparticles from the treated solutions by using an ordinary magnet.

Corn stalk-based activated carbon synthesized by a novel activation method for high-performance adsorption of hexavalent chromium in aqueous solutions

A simple activation method involving treatment with KOH solution was used to synthesize activated carbon (ACs) with micro-meso pores from the agricultural waste of corn stalks. The activation reagent, KOH solution, was easily separated for recycling by centrifugation from the pre-treated corn stalks, and the pollution in the carbonization process was greatly reduced. The morphology and structure of the ACs were characterized by SEM, TEM, N₂ adsorption, XRD, FT-IR and Raman analysis. The prepared carbon was applied as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) in a batch adsorption process. The effect of the concentration of KOH solution on the structure, morphology and Cr(VI) adsorption performance of the synthesized ACs was investigated. The characterization results revealed that some functional groups in the corn stalks were removed by pretreatment with KOH solution and micro-meso porous structures were generated. The ACs showed high adsorption performance for Cr(VI), and the maximum adsorption ability of the ACs prepared by activation with 4% KOH solution reached 89.5 mg g^-1 at an adsorbent dosage of 2.5 g·L^-1 and pH value of 4.5.

Nitrogen and sulfur codoped micro-mesoporous carbon sheets derived from natural biomass for synergistic removal of chromium(VI): adsorption behavior and computing mechanism

We reported the effective removal of chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) from wastewater with nitrogen and sulfur codoped micro-mesoporous carbon sheets (N,S-MMCSs), which were fabricated by pyrolysis of natural biomass (luffa sponge) followed by chemical activation and hydrothermal treatment. N,S-MMCSs possessed a hierarchical micro-mesoporous sheet-like framework, large specific surface area (1525.45 m² g^-1), high pore volume (1.21 cm³ g^-1), and appropriate N (1.81 wt%) and S (1.01 wt%) co-doping. Batch adsorption experiments suggested that Cr(VI) adsorption by the N,S-MMCSs increased with increase the solution acidity, adsorbent dosage, Cr(VI) concentration, temperature, and time. The Cr(VI) adsorption was mainly controlled by the chemisorptions and could be well interpreted by the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The maximum adsorption capacities of Cr(VI) were 217.39, 277.78, and 312.50 mg g^-1 at 298, 308, and 318 K, respectively. The Cr(VI) adsorption procedure was spontaneous, endothermic, and randomness. The Cr(VI) adsorption mechanism followed the physical adsorption, electrostatic attraction, in situ reduction, and surface chelation. Besides, the density functional theory (DFT) calculation demonstrated that the N and S co-doping could decrease the adsorption energy and enhance the attractive interaction between N,S-MMCSs and Cr(VI) through the synergistic effect, and thus significantly improve the Cr(VI) adsorption property.

Effect of biochar modified with magnetite nanoparticles and HNO3 for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated water: A batch and column scale study

Chromium (Cr) poses serious consequences on human and animal health due to its potential carcinogenicity. The present study aims at preparing a novel biochar derived from Chenopodium quinoa crop residues (QBC), its activation with magnetite nanoparticles (QBC/MNPs) and strong acid HNO₃ (QBC/Acid) to evaluate their batch and column scale potential to remove Cr (VI) from polluted water. The QBC, QBC/MNPs and QBC/Acid were characterized with SEM, FTIR, EDX, XRD as well as point of zero charge (PZC) to get an insight into their adsorption mechanism. The impact of different process parameters including dose of the adsorbent (1-4 g/L), contact time (0-180 min), initial concentration of Cr (25-200 mg/L) as well as solution pH (2-8) was evaluated on the Cr (VI) removal from contaminated water. The results revealed that QBC/MNPs proved more effective (73.35-93.62-%) for the Cr (VI) removal with 77.35 mg/g adsorption capacity as compared with QBC/Acid (55.85-79.8%) and QBC (48.85-75.28-%) when Cr concentration was changed from 200 to 25 mg/L. The isothermal experimental results follow the Freundlich adsorption model rather than Langmuir, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models. While kinetic adsorption results were well demonstrated by pseudo second order kinetic model. Column scale experiments conducted at steady state exhibited excellent retention of Cr (VI) by QBC, QBC/MNPs and QBC/Acid at 50 and 100 mg Cr/L. The results showed that this novel biochar (QBC) and its modified forms (QBC/Acid and QBC/MNPs) are applicable with excellent reusability and stability under acidic conditions for the practical treatment of Cr (VI) contaminated water.

Enhancing Cadmium Tolerance and Pea Plant Health through Enterobacter sp. MN17 Inoculation Together with Biochar and Gravel Sand

Contamination of soils with heavy metals, particularly cadmium (Cd), is an increasingly alarming environmental issue around the world. Application of organic and inorganic immobilizing amendments such as biochar and gravel sand in combination with metal-tolerant microbes has the potential to minimize the bioavailability of Cd to plants. The present study was designed to identify the possible additive effects of the application of Enterobacter sp. MN17 as well as biochar and gravel sand on the reduction of Cd stress in plants and improvement of growth and nutritional quality of pea (Pisum sativum) plants through the reduction of Cd uptake. Pea seeds were surface sterilized then non-inoculated seeds and seeds inoculated with Enterobacter sp. MN17 were planted in artificially Cd-polluted soil, amended with the immobilizing agents biochar and gravel sand. Application of biochar and gravel sand alone and in combination not only improved the growth and nutritional quality of pea plants by in situ immobilization but also reduced the uptake of Cd by plant roots and its transport to shoots. However, microbial inoculation further enhanced the overall plant health as well as alleviated the toxic effects of Cd on the pea plants. These soil treatments also improved rates of photosynthesis and transpiration. The combined use of biochar and gravel sand with bacterial inoculation resulted in an increase in plant height (47%), shoot dry weight (42%), root dry weight (57%), and 100 seeds weight (49%) as compared to control plants in Cd contaminated soil. Likewise, biochemical constituents of pea seeds (protein, fat, fiber, and ash) were significantly increased up to 41%, 74%, 32%, and 72%, respectively, with the combined use of these immobilizing agents and bacterium. Overall, this study demonstrated that the combined application of biochar and gravel sand, particularly in combination with Enterobacter sp. MN17, could be an efficient strategy for the remediation of Cd contaminated soil. It could support better growth and nutritional quality of pea plants.

Preparation and Modification of Biochar Materials and their Application in Soil Remediation

As a new functional material, biochar was usually prepared from biomass and solid wastes such as agricultural and forestry waste, sludge, livestock, and poultry manure. The wide application of biochar is due to its abilities to remove pollutants, remediate contaminated soil, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, the influence of preparation methods, process parameters, and modification methods on the physicochemical properties of biochar were discussed, as well as the mechanisms of biochar in the remediation of soil pollution. The biochar applications in soil remediation in the past years were summarized, such as the removal of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and the improvement of soil quality. Finally, the potential risks of biochar application and the future research directions were analyzed.

Efficient removal of low-concentration Cr(vi) from aqueous solution by 4A/HACC particles

A new cationic surface-modified 4A zeolite for adsorbing trace chromium in aqueous solution was successfully synthesized.