Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal
This review explores biochar’s potential as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for remediating organic pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, in water. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass pyrolysis, has demonstrated adsorption effici...
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2024-12-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/26 |
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| author | Jelena Beljin Nina Đukanović Jasmina Anojčić Tajana Simetić Tamara Apostolović Sanja Mutić Snežana Maletić |
| author_facet | Jelena Beljin Nina Đukanović Jasmina Anojčić Tajana Simetić Tamara Apostolović Sanja Mutić Snežana Maletić |
| author_sort | Jelena Beljin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review explores biochar’s potential as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for remediating organic pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, in water. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass pyrolysis, has demonstrated adsorption efficiencies exceeding 90% under optimal conditions, depending on the feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, and functionalization. High surface area (up to 1500 m<sup>2</sup>/g), porosity, and modifiable surface functional groups make biochar effective in adsorbing a wide range of contaminants, including toxic metals, organic pollutants, and nutrients. Recent advancements in biochar production, such as chemical activation and post-treatment modifications, have enhanced adsorption capacities, with engineered biochar achieving superior performance in treating industrial, municipal, and agricultural effluents. However, scaling up biochar applications from laboratory research to field-scale wastewater treatment poses significant challenges. These include inconsistencies in adsorption performance under variable environmental conditions, the high cost of large-scale biochar production, logistical challenges in handling and deploying biochar at scale, and the need for integration with existing treatment systems. Such challenges impact the practical implementation of biochar-based remediation technologies, requiring further investigation into cost-effective production methods, long-term performance assessments, and field-level optimization strategies. This review underscores the importance of addressing these barriers and highlights biochar’s potential to offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable solution for large-scale wastewater treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-489114bdf22c413882194ec3852a4d60 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-489114bdf22c413882194ec3852a4d602025-01-10T13:19:17ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912024-12-011512610.3390/nano15010026Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide RemovalJelena Beljin0Nina Đukanović1Jasmina Anojčić2Tajana Simetić3Tamara Apostolović4Sanja Mutić5Snežana Maletić6Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaThis review explores biochar’s potential as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for remediating organic pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, in water. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass pyrolysis, has demonstrated adsorption efficiencies exceeding 90% under optimal conditions, depending on the feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, and functionalization. High surface area (up to 1500 m<sup>2</sup>/g), porosity, and modifiable surface functional groups make biochar effective in adsorbing a wide range of contaminants, including toxic metals, organic pollutants, and nutrients. Recent advancements in biochar production, such as chemical activation and post-treatment modifications, have enhanced adsorption capacities, with engineered biochar achieving superior performance in treating industrial, municipal, and agricultural effluents. However, scaling up biochar applications from laboratory research to field-scale wastewater treatment poses significant challenges. These include inconsistencies in adsorption performance under variable environmental conditions, the high cost of large-scale biochar production, logistical challenges in handling and deploying biochar at scale, and the need for integration with existing treatment systems. Such challenges impact the practical implementation of biochar-based remediation technologies, requiring further investigation into cost-effective production methods, long-term performance assessments, and field-level optimization strategies. This review underscores the importance of addressing these barriers and highlights biochar’s potential to offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable solution for large-scale wastewater treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/26biocharPAHpesticidewaterwastewater treatment |
| spellingShingle | Jelena Beljin Nina Đukanović Jasmina Anojčić Tajana Simetić Tamara Apostolović Sanja Mutić Snežana Maletić Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal Nanomaterials biochar PAH pesticide water wastewater treatment |
| title | Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal |
| title_full | Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal |
| title_fullStr | Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal |
| title_short | Biochar in the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Water: A Review of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Pesticide Removal |
| title_sort | biochar in the remediation of organic pollutants in water a review of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and pesticide removal |
| topic | biochar PAH pesticide water wastewater treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/1/26 |
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