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Soil salinity is a major nutritional challenge with poor agriculture production characterized by high sodium (Na+) ions in the soil. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and biochar have received attention as a sustainable strategy to reduce biotic and abiotic stress. However, there is a lack of information regarding the incorporation of ZnO NPs with biochar to ameliorate the salinity stress (0, 50,100 mM). Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the potentials of ZnO NPs application (priming and foliar) alone and with a combination of biochar on the growth and nutrient availability of spinach plants under salinity stress. Results demonstrated that salinity stress at a higher rate (100 mM) showed maximum growth retardation by inducing oxidative stress, resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate and nutrient availability. ZnO NPs (priming and foliar) alone enhanced growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange parameters by improving the antioxidant enzymes activity of spinach under salinity stress. While, a significant and more pronounced effect was observed at combined treatments of ZnO NPs with biochar amendment. More importantly, ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar significantly reduced the Na+ contents in root 57.69%, and leaves 61.27% of spinach as compared to the respective control. Furthermore, higher nutrient contents were also found at the combined treatment of ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar. Overall, ZnO NPs combined application with biochar proved to be an efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate salinity stress and improve crop nutritional quality under salinity stress. We inferred that ZnO NPs foliar application with a combination of biochar is more effectual in improving crop nutritional status and salinity mitigation than priming treatments with a combination of biochar.

Safeguarding the agricultural environment from pollution is one of the most critical challenges facing the world in the context of climate change. The loss of nitrogen fertilizers through agricultural runoff or volatilization in the form of nitrate or ammonia emissions is a significant contributor to pollution. This loss also represents an economic waste that may lead to increased prices of agricultural products. Therefore, finding a solution to this problem has become imperative. An experiment was conducted on wheat plants using various rates of urea coated with slow-release materials. The study aimed to assess the impact of these fertilizers on wheat growth and yield, nutrient uptake, and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). Results demonstrated that urea fertilizers coated with slow-release materials outperformed conventional fertilizers in terms of wheat growth and yield, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as NUtE. The most favorable outcomes were achieved using urea-formaldehyde, urea-humic, and urea-biochar fertilizers at 100% of the recommended nitrogen application rate. This resulted in economically viable grain production with high fertilizer efficiency. Based on these findings, we recommend applying either urea-formaldehyde or urea-humic at a rate of 107 kg N ha−1 to produce wheat grain and straw with enhanced NUtE. This approach can help reduce environmental pollution caused by nitrogen losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to valorize C. demersum, a common aquatic plant in lakes, ponds, and quiet streams with little use. FeCl3 -impregnated C. demersum was directly pyrolyzed to yield iron oxide-loaded biochar (IO/BC). Analytical results revealed that 3.19 wt% Fe existed in the resulting composite, including predominant hematite (a-Fe2 O3 ) and minor magnetite (Fe3 O4 ). Moreover, the total pore volume (Vtotal) and the specific surface area (SBET) of IO/BC were 0.091 cm3 /g and 113 m2 /g, respectively. IO/BC was subsequently explored for catalytic rhodamine B (RhB) degradation using H2 O2 . At pH 3.0, 30 °C, 1.00 g/L IO/BC partly eliminated 18% RhB (20 ppm), corresponding to an adsorption capacity of 3.6 mg/g. Upon the addition of 120 ppm H2 O2, total RhB removal reached 92% after 90 min. Furthermore, RhB treatment was consistent with the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate constant (k) at 30 °C was 0.0260 min-1, and the activation energy (Ea ) was 72 kJ/mol. Overall, the findings highlighted the catalytic potential of IO/BC prepared from C. demersum for Fenton-like degradation of RhB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion and composting of biowastes are vital pathways to recycle carbon and nutrients for agriculture. However, plastic contamination of soil amendments and fertilizers made from biowastes is a relevant source of (micro‐) plastics in (agricultural) ecosystems. To avoid this contamination, plastic containing biowastes could be pyrolyzed to eliminate the plastic, recycle most of the nutrients, and create carbon sinks when the resulting biochar is applied to soil. Literature suggests plastic elimination mainly by devolatilization at co‐pyrolysis temperatures of > 520°C. However, it is uncertain if the presence of plastic during biomass pyrolysis induces the formation of organic contaminants or has any other adverse effects on biochar properties. Here, we produced biochar from wood residues (WR) obtained from sieving of biowaste derived digestate. The plastic content was artificially enriched to 10%, and this mixture was pyrolyzed at 450°C and 600°C. Beech wood (BW) chips and the purified, that is, (macro‐) plastic‐free WR served as controls. All biochars produced were below limit values of the European Biochar Certificate (EBC) regarding trace element content and organic contaminants. Under study conditions, pyrolysis of biowaste, even when contaminated with plastic, can produce a biochar suitable for agricultural use. However, thermogravimetric and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of the WR + 10% plastics biochar suggested the presence of plastic residues at pyrolysis temperatures of 450°C. More research is needed to define minimum requirements for the pyrolysis of plastic containing biowaste and to cope with the automated identification and determination of plastic types in biowaste at large scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is a product of carbon rich mass produced through the pyrolysis of organic wastes. Several reviews have been published demonstrating the effects of biochar on soil health, plant productivity and on the amelioration of adverse effects of climate. Depending upon the type of biomass and pyrolysis conditions maintained, biochar acquire specific characteristics like cation exchange capacity, pore size, surface area, mineral contents, energy density and adsorption capacity and help in serving a prime role in agriculture, climate change and waste management. Biochar significance also stems from its ability to sequester significant amount of carbon and reducing the efflux of greenhouse gas emission in the environment. Biochar is an important ecological niche for microbes, as biochar porous structure and high surface area, if maintained, helps in proliferation of microbes (plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and mycorrhization). Biochar amendment has multiple effects on biological and biochemical properties, e.g. retention of nutrients (N, P, K), organic matter (C), water holding capacity and soil respiration, ultimately improving crop yield. In addition, it facilitates in providing tolerance against different abiotic and biotic stresses. Surface modification of biochar with nanomaterial is a promising strategy affecting its sorption capacity for contaminant removal. This review focuses on evaluating the role of biochar alone and in combination with PGPR on soil health, plant productivity under stress, enhancement of systemic resistance in plants and waste management. Further, this review demonstrates the modulation of functional characteristics of biochar as affected by nanomaterial in concert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silkworm excrement (SE) and silkworm excrement-derived biochar (BC) were applied to atrazine-contaminated soil at the rates of 0% and 0.5% (w/w), respectively. The effect of organic amendments on sorption capacity, microbial biomass carbon, enzyme activity (dehydrogenase, urease and catalase) and bacterial composition in soil were evaluated. Atrazine significantly decreased the microbial activity and diversity in soil. Both SE and BC treatments increased the sorption of atrazine in soil. SE treatment significantly increased the microbial biomass carbon and enzyme activity in contaminated soil. Unlike the addition of silkworm excrement, BC treatment had no significant effect on dehydrogenase activity. Additionally, Illumina-MiSeq sequencing analyses showed that the two organic amendments increased the Shannon index of bacteria. SE treatment improved the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. BC treatment improved the Proteobacteria in atrazine contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the use of surface-modified biochar as a porous electrode material for the capacitive deionization removal of chloride and fluoride ions. Incorporation of titanium dioxide and amine groups on biochar aims to increase surface-active sites, facilitate salt ion diffusion, and improve charge efficiency and cation/anion selectivity in asymmetric capacitive deionization. Titania, amine, and activated biochar are denoted as TB, AmB, and AcB, respectively. Physical and electrochemical characterizations were performed to investigate the surface properties of fabricated materials. At the optimum TiO2 loading of 5% (TB-05), the specific capacitance of TB-05 electrode was improved by 35% at scan rate of 1 mV s–1 in comparison to the AcB electrode, despite a decrease in the specific surface area. Three different asymmetric capacitive deionization cell designs—AmB||TB-05, AcB||TB-05, and AmB||AcB—and two symmetrical cell designs—AcB||AcB and TB-05||TB-05 (anode||cathode)—were tested. A symmetric cell design TB-05||TB-05 had a NaCl removal capacity of 8.51 mg g−1, a 42% improvement in comparison to a symmetric AcB cell (6.01 mg g−1). Further, an asymmetric cell AmB||TB-05 showed 67% charge efficiency improvement over symmetric AcB cell, likely due to a reduced co-ion effect. For fluoride removal, a symmetric TB-05 cell showed a removal capacity of 3.51 mg g−1. This study promotes simple surface-modification methods to make inexpensive commercial biochar into a sustainable, and efficient electrode material available for a scale-up asymmetric capacitive deionization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupled effects of biochar and antibiotic degrading bacterial strain on remediating contaminated soils with both heavy metals and antibiotics are poorly understood. A novel bio-based material combing an antibiotic degrading bacterial strain Herbaspirillum huttiense (HHS1) with biochar derived from spent mushroom substrate (BSMS) was developed, and an orthogonal test was conducted on soil contaminated with heavy metals and veterinary antibiotics. The stabilization of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC) and enrofloxacin (ENR) by the novel material at different temperatures were determined. Results indicated that the combination of BSMS and HHS1, along with temperature, was vital for pollutant treatments. The immobilized HHS1 (2 wt%)-BSMS (10 wt%) pellets achieved great stabilization efficiencies of Cu (69.2%) and Zn (59.72%), whereas higher removal of OTC (41.87%) and ENR (42.91%) was observed using HHS1 liquid and BSMS without entrapment at 35 ℃. The degradation of OTC and ENR by HHS1 accounted for 44.7% and 50.0% of their total removal, respectively. Oxytetracycline and ENR could be broken into small molecule products under low pH and high temperature through mechanisms including carbonylation, dihydroxylation, and piperazine ring-opening etc. When considering Cu and Zn stabilization, together with OTC and ENR removal in soils simultaneously, immobilized HHS1 (2 wt%)-BSMS (10 wt%) pellets are suitable for animal farms, even at low temperature (15 ℃), acting as an important bioresource for effectively stabilizing Cu and Zn and removing OTC and ENR in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improper disposal of uranium mine tailings and smelting wastewater poses significant environmental hazards, including contamination of water bodies and soil, and potential health risks to humans through the accumulation of uranium in bones and organs. This study examines the removal of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) from water using biochar derived from agricultural waste enhanced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and magnetization modifications involving the incorporation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto the biochar surface. The adsorption capacities were evaluated through batch experiments, and the mechanisms were analyzed using SEM, FT-IR, XPS, and BET surface analysis. These modifications were found to significantly increase the biochar's specific surface area from 17.606 m2/g to 195.62 m2/g and pore volume from 0.037 cm3/g to 0.132 cm3/g, and surface enrichment with oxygen-containing functional groups, particularly carboxyl groups. The inherent adsorption efficiency of biochar for U(VI) is significantly enhanced by these modifications, with the adsorption capacities of H2O2-modified (HBC) and magnetized HBC (MBC) reaching 69.50 mg/g and 77.58 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption mechanisms of BC, HBC, and MBC for U(VI) involve complexation reactions where hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, among other oxygen-containing functional groups on the biochar, interact with uranyl ions. HBC and MBC exhibit enhanced complexation due to higher carboxyl content, leading to improved U(VI) adsorption. Additionally, the presence of iron-containing functional groups on the surface of MBC contributes to electrostatic interactions and facilitates complexation reactions between Fe-O and uranyl ions, enhancing the overall adsorption process. These findings highlight the potential of modified biochar for the removal of U(VI) from water, particularly for the treatment of mine tailings and smelting wastewater, with significant implications for industrial applications in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of wastewater pollution in the production of monosodium glutamate (MSG) is becoming more and more serious. A novel type of chemically modified Salix psammophila powder charcoal (SPPCAM) was synthesized to address the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in MSG wastewater. SPPCAM was prepared by carbonization method, in which inorganic ammonium molybdate (AM) was used as modifier and Salix psammophila powder (SPP) was used as raw material. Under optimal treatment conditions, maximum removal rates (removal capacities) of 45.9% (3313.2 mg·L−1) for COD and 29.4% (23.2 mg·L−1) for NH3-N in MSG wastewater were achieved. The treatment results significantly outperforming the unmodified Salix psammophila powder charcoal (SPPC), which only achieved removal rates (removal capacities) of 10.6% (763.9 mg·L−1) for COD and 12.9% (10 mg·L−1) for NH3-N. SPPC and SPPCAM before and after preparation were analysed by FT-IR and XRD, and Mo ions in the form of Mo2C within SPPCAM were successfully loaded. SEM, EDS-Mapping, BET, and other methods were used to analyse SPPCAM before and after MSG wastewater treatment, demonstrating that SPPCAM effectively treated organic pollutants in monosodium glutamate wastewater. The NH3-N in the treated MSG wastewater has reached the standard of safe discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar addition plays an important role in manure composting, but its driving mechanism on microbial succession and humification process of human excreta composting is still unclear. In the present study, the mechanism of biochar addition was explored by analysing the humification process and microbial succession pattern of human excreta aerobic composting without and with 10% biochar (HF and BHF). Results indicated that BHF improved composting temperature, advanced the thermophilic phase by 1 d, increased the germination index by 49.03%, promoted the growth rate of humic acid content by 17.46%, and raised the compost product with the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid (HA/FA) by 16.19%. Biochar regulated the diversity of fungi and bacteria, increasing the relative abundance of Planifilum, Meyerozyma and Melanocarpus in the thermophilic phase, and Saccharomonospora, Flavobacterium, Thermomyces and Remersonia in the mature phase, which accelerates the humification. Bacterial communities' succession had an obvious correlation with the total carbon, total nitrogen, and temperature (P < 0.05), while the succession of fungal communities was influenced by the HA/FA and pH (P < 0.05). This study could provide a reference for the improvement of on-site human excreta harmless by extending the thermophilic phase, and facilitating the humification in human excreta compost with biochar addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities, encompassing vast agricultural and industrial operations around the world, exert substantial pressure on the environment, culminating in profound ecological impacts. These activities exacerbate soil contamination problems with pollutants such as mercury (Hg) and chlorpyrifos (CPF) that are notable for their widespread presence and detrimental effects. The objective of this study is to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of Phaseolus vulgaris L., augmented with various combinations of biochar, mycorrhizal, and compost amendments, as a sustainable alternative for the remediation of soils contaminated with Hg and CPF. For this purpose, soil from a mining area with mercury contamination has been taken, to which CPF has been added in different concentrations. Then, previously germinated Phaseolus vulgaris L. seedlings with an average height of 10 cm were planted. Electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, CPF, and Hg, as well as seedling growth parameters, have been evaluated to determine the processes of absorption of soil contaminants into the plant. A combination of biochar with mycorrhiza has been found to be an optimal choice for CPF and Hg remediation. However, all amendments have proven to be efficient in the remediation processes of the tested contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐sulfur batteries are emerging as sustainable replacements for current lithium‐ion batteries. The commercial viability of this novel type of battery is still under debate due to the extensive use of highly reactive lithium‐metal anodes and the complex electrochemistry of the sulfur cathode. In this research, a novel sulfur‐based battery has been proposed that eliminates the need for metallic lithium anodes and other critical raw materials like cobalt and graphite, replacing them with biomass‐derived materials. This approach presents numerous benefits, encompassing ample availability, cost‐effectiveness, safety, and environmental friendliness. In particular, two types of biochar‐based anode electrodes (non‐activated and activated biochar) derived from spent common ivy have been investigated as alternatives to metallic lithium. We compared their structural and electrochemical properties, both of which exhibited good compatibility with the typical electrolytes used in sulfur batteries. Surprisingly, while steam activation results in an increased specific surface area, the non‐activated ivy biochar demonstrates better performance than the activated biochar, achieving a stable capacity of 400 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and a long lifespan (>400 cycles at 0.5 A g−1). Our results demonstrate that the presence of heteroatoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen positively affects the capacity and cycling performance of the electrodes. This led to increased d‐spacing in the graphitic layer, a strong interaction with the solid electrolyte interphase layer, and improved ion transportation. Finally, the non‐activated biochar was successfully coupled with a sulfur cathode to fabricate lithium‐metal‐free sulfur batteries, delivering a specific energy density of ~600 Wh kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water contamination currently threatens human health, which is still a major environmental issue. Scientists are paying attention, in particular, to lead poisoning of water caused by industrial wastes on a global scale. In order to reduce agricultural waste and promote sustainable development, this study created a straightforward process for using leftover rice husks to create biochar. At first, the rice husk biochar was prepared; then, following the immersion of biochar with precursors of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and precipitation under alkaline condition, the Fe3O4 was formed and laid onto biochar to create another magnetic adsorbent known as ferrous-modified biochar. The success of loading Fe3O4 was confirmed by SEM, XRD, FTIR, and BET measurements. The delivered ferrous-modified biochar has a high surface area and correct functional groups for the adsorption process. In order to remove Pb (II) from wastewater, rice husk biochar and ferrous-modified biochar materials were used. Under optimized conditions, synthesized ferrous-modified biochar has a lead adsorbent effectiveness of 95.0% that is related to varying pathways as co-precipitation reaction, complexation reaction, conjugation adsorption, ion exchange, and Fe–O coordination. The Pb2+ adsorption capacity of modified biochar is three times greater than rice husk biochar with 73.68 mg/g. Another evidence of the ferrous-modified biochar adsorbent's excellent recyclable properties is the remaining lead efficiency, which was over 41.2% even after six recycling cycles. Therefore, by this approach of synthesizing Fe3O4 loaded on biochar, the research provided new opportunities for developing low-cost and highly efficient adsorbent to remove heavy metals from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cause of agricultural soil pollution that endangers human health is tannery waste. Experiments were carried out to assess the effects of green material (GM), rice straw (RS), and rice straw biochar (RSB) on Triticum aestivum L. grown in tannery effluent-contaminated soil in the district Kasur, Pakistan. The application of GM, RS, and RSB significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the concentration of heavy metals (HMs) such as Cd, Pb, and Cr in amended soil. The bioaccumulation of Cd decreased by up to 59–34%, Pb by up to 58–42%, and Cr by up to 30–34% in Triticum aestivum L. shoot and roots with RSB amendment. Increased concentration of chlorophyll a by up to 74%, 30%, and 110%, chlorophyll b by up to 138%, 70%, and 225%, and carotenoids by up to 87%, 37%, and 140% was measured with GM, RS, and RSB amendment. However, reduced concentrations of SOD by up to 41%, 36%, and 72%, POD by up to 7%, 20%, and 55%, and CAT by up to 29%, 22%, and 38% were recorded with GM, RS, and RSB amendment. Data revealed that RSB was beneficial to Triticum aestivum L. growth, soil HMs remediation, and activating antioxidant enzymes. RSB can be used as a suitable amendment in the remediation of tannery polluted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater containing phosphorus is often added by industrial activities, which is bad for the environment. In this study, composite biochar (PG-RS700) was prepared from phosphogypsum (PG) and rape straw (RS) for the treatment of phosphate in wastewater. SEM, FTIR, XRD and XPS characterization results showed that PG and RS were successfully combined. When PG-RS700 was dosed at 1.5 g/L and the phosphate solution concentration was 50 mg/L and pH = 8, the phosphate removal rate was 100% and the adsorption capacity was three times higher than the corresponding pure PG and RS. The quasi-secondary kinetic model indicated that the adsorption mechanism was chemisorption, and the maximum adsorption capacity for phosphate in the Langmuir isotherm model was 102.25 mg/g. Through pot experiment, the phosphorus adsorbed material obviously promoted the growth of plants. PG-RS700 can be used as a powerful adsorbent to treat phosphate in water and return it to soil as phosphate fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, sugarcane bagasse (SB), which was preliminarily treated with H3PO4, was utilized to produce biochar (SB-BC). The SB-BC was subsequently modified with KOH to enrich oxygen-containing functional groups (OCFGs) for the enhanced adsorption of NH4+ from wastewater. Batch tests revealed that KOH-modified SB-BC (SB-MBC) increased the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of NH4+ by approximately twofold, from 27.1 mg/g for SB-BC to 53.1 mg/g for SB-MBC. The optimal operational conditions for NH4+ adsorption onto SB-MBC were pH of 7.0 and a biochar dose of 3.0 g/L for the removal of 50 mg/L NH4+ at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C) over 180 min of contact. The enhanced adsorption capacity of NH4+ onto SB-MBC was due to the important contribution of the OCFGs enriched on the surface of biochar, which was increased by about fourfold, after being modified by KOH. The NH4+ adsorption dynamics were better fitted by the Elovich and the NH4+ adsorption isotherms were better described by Langmuir and Sips models, showing that the adsorption process was dominated by monolayer chemisorption. The properties of the adsorption materials before and after adsorption of NH4+ confirmed that cation exchange, electrostatic attraction and surface complexation were the main mechanisms controlling the adsorption process. The desorption and reusability tests of NH4+-saturated SB-MBC revealed that NH4+ adsorption slightly decreased after three successive sorption‒desorption cycles. The findings suggested that SB-MBC is a promising and feasible adsorbent for the effective treatment of NH4+-contaminated water sources. Future work should conduct tests for treatment of NH4+-rich real wastewater and utilize NH4+-saturated SB-MBC as slow releasing fertilizer for plants growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal-contaminated soil has a great impact on yield reduction of vegetable crops and soil microbial community destruction. Biochar-derived waste biomass is one of the most commonly applied soil conditioners in heavy metal-contaminated soil. Different heavy metal-contaminated soil added with suitable biochars represent an intriguing way of the safe production of crops. This study investigated the effects of two types of biochar [rice husk biochar (RHB) and sugarcane bagasse biochar (SBB)] on Cd and Pb accumulation in Shanghaiqing (SHQ, a variety of Brassica campestris L.) and Fengyou 737 (FY, a variety of Brassica napus), as well as on the soil microbial community, through a field experiment. RHB and SBB were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller method. The results showed that RHB and SBB displayed the higher pH, cation exchange capacity and pore properties, and the addition of RHB and SBB enhanced soil pH and rhizosphere microorganisms promoting vegetables yield. RHB treatments were more effective than SBB in reducing upward transfer of Cd and Pb, blocking the accumulation of Cd and Pb in the edible parts of SHQ and FY, and decreasing soil Cd and Pb bioavailability. Additionally, RHB and SBB changed the composition of the rhizosphere soil microbial community. The application of biochar promoted the growth of ecologically beneficial bacteria (Nitrospira, Opitutus, and Gemmatimonas) and fungi (Mortierella and Holtermanniella), whereas reducing the enrichment of plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria, Stagonosporopsis, Lectera, and Periconia) in rhizosphere soil. Our findings demonstrated that the application of RHB significantly reduces Cd and Pb accumulation in the edible parts by decreasing the soil Cd and Pb bioavailability and altering the rhizosphere microbial community composition in two Brassica vegetables grown on Cd/Pb-contaminated soils. Thus, the application of two biochar, especially RHB is a feasible strategy for the safe production of vegetable crops in Cd/Pb co-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batik is a widely recognized form of clothing in Indonesian society. The batik-making process uses synthetic dyes, which can pollute the environment. This study aims to modify biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse using iron (Fe) synthesis. Biochar was produced through pyrolysis, while iron was sourced from beach sand in Glagah, Yogyakarta. The research involved four stages: (1) production of biochar from sugarcane bagasse, (2) modification of biochar with iron through beach sand synthesis, (3) application of iron-modified biochar (IMB) to methylene blue (MB), and (4) analysis of biochar characteristics. The results show that iron-modified biochar (IMB) affects biochar properties. IMB falls into the micropore category with a micropore surface area of 71.1%. The optimum wavelength was 571 nm with an adsorption level of 0.155. The application of IMB to batik wastewater demonstrated that adding 6% Fe and soaking for 180 minutes achieved the highest reduction in batik wastewater at approximately 69% with an R squared value (R²) of 0.975. Degradation of batik dye with 6% Fe using the Heterogeneous Fenton method resulted in yellow color degradation of 16%, fast green 3%, methylene orange 4%, red 3%, and methylene blue 23%. These findings highlight the potential of using sugarcane bagasse as a renewable resource for producing adsorbents that contribute to effective batik wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 41% of households and 2.8 billion people worldwide depend on solid fuels including coal. The available coal reserves in Indonesia are 31.7 billion tons and only enough for the next 65 years. This makes the government encourage the development of research on the utilization of biomass waste as alternative energy. Efforts are made to convert biomass waste in the form of rubber wood into alternative solid fuels through the pyrolysis process. Biochar is produced from biomass through pyrolysis, resulting in excellent combustion quality. Biochar from pyrolysis is combined with brown coal and molasses adhesive to create coal biobriquettes as an alternative solid fuel. The purpose of this study was to identify the optimal composition of brown coal and biochar in producing coal biobriquettes with the best quality. The pyrolysis process of rubber wood waste was carried out at a temperature of 350-400 °C for 2 hours. This study used variations in the composition of biochar (75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%) and brown coal (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) and 15 mL molasses adhesive. Testing the combustion quality of coal biobriquettes through proximate analysis and value. The results showed that the most optimal product was a sample with a composition of 85% biochar and 15% brown coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Due to the lower degradation and the potential inhibitory compounds present in slaughterhouse wastewater (SW), its industrial applications are often limited to methane production. This study investigated the combined effect of conductive material such as oat husk‐biochar at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 g L−1) and particle sizes (i.e., Powder Biochar (PB) (0.05–0.08 mm) vs. Granular Biochar (GB) (0.8–1.0 mm)) in the methane production, biodegradability, kinetic parameters, methanogenic activity and digestate quality of SW, using a multilevel factorial design. RESULTS: Experimental results showed that lower concentration (5, 10 g L−1) increased the methane yield up to 35% for PB and between 11 and 13% for GB compared to the control reactor. The total ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations in the digestate declined between 14% and 52% for all biochar dosages and particle sizes. PB improved the specific methanogenic activity of the biomass compared with GB, indicating that PB can support a well‐balanced methanogenic community compared with GB inside the digester. The multiple response optimization process computed that 7.5 g L−1 of PB is optimal to increase the methane yield, the COD degradation efficiency and shorten the lag phase. On the other hand, doses higher than 15 g L−1 hinder methane generation. CONCLUSIONS: PB supplementation has significant potential to improve the anaerobic degradation of SW. The improvement is attributed to the higher specific surface area, contributing to better support and microbial activity. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in water and soil seriously threatens human health. Biochar and nanomaterials have high potential for solving the cadmium pollution problem due to their abundant pores and high specific surface area. Here, the preparation of the composite material SiO2NPs@BC (SBC) using SiO2 NPs (SN) and silkworm excrement biochar (BC) is described, along with its application in the remediation of cadmium-contaminated water and soil. Characterization experiments (SEM&EDS, BET, FTIR, XRD, and XPS) demonstrated that SiO2NPs@BC has a high specific surface area (46.5767m2/g), a well-developed pore structure (0.608375cm3/g), and abundant surface functional groups (Si–C, Si–O, Si–O–Si), providing active sites for the adsorption of Cd. Batch adsorption experiments in water showed that the adsorption capacity of SBC is higher than that of biochar (BC) and SN, with a maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of 141.99 mg/g. After five adsorption cycles, the removal rate of SBC was 73.04%, significantly higher than the 64.97% obtained for BC. The application of SBC not only improved the soil physicochemical properties by increasing the soil pH, the cation exchange capacity, and the soil organic matter content but also by reducing the amount of DTPA-Cd (24.6%) and the plant bioconcentration factor (28.28%) in the soil, converting Cd into more stable fractions (Red-Cd, Ox-Cd). Based on the results, SBC can effectively reduce Cd pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing contamination of aquatic bodies by heavy metals poses a significant threat to environment and human health, necessitates innovative, sustainable and cost-effective remediation strategies. Due to their persistence and toxicity, heavy metals like copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) pose severe threats, even in trace amounts. Traditional removal methods of these heavy metals, like chemical precipitation, oxidation/reduction, filtration, ion exchange, membrane separation, and adsorption, are costly, inefficient, and have drawbacks. As an efficient and low-cost adsorbent, biochar has the potential for heavy metal remediation from water. Biochar is a versatile carbonaceous material produced through pyrolysis of organic wastes, emerged as a powerful adsorbent for heavy metal removal from contaminated water. The unique property of biochar makes it an effective medium immobilizing and capturing of heavy metals like Pb, Cd, As and Hg. Various factors affect its adsorption potential and capacity. Feedstocks type, composition, activation methods, and production processes including the pyrolysis temperature, temperature rate and residence time significantly impact the efficacy of biochar. Therefore, this review has assessed, compared, and contrasted different forms of biochar along with their production methods, modification techniques and mechanisms for their potential use as an adsorbent for heavy metal removal from the contaminated water. Modified biochar offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for water purification and remediation of toxic heavy metals from water. This review highlights the biochar potential as a crucial component for future research projects focusing on water treatment technologies, providing avenues for safer and cleaner water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of biochar (BC) production from organic waste with ampicillin (AMP), an emerging pollutant, adsorption is a novel and promising treatment approach. In this study, peanut shells, coffee grounds, digestates, and oyster shells were used for BC production. Among these, the use of anaerobic digestate from food waste fermentation to produce extracts for antibiotic adsorption is relatively unexplored. The pyrolysis temperature was determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the materials were characterized with BET, SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The TGA results indicate that PSB, CRB, and DSB underwent pyrolysis involving cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, whereas OSB underwent crystal formation. Characterization revealed that DSB has more functional groups, a superior mesoporous structure, appropriate O/C ratio, and trace amounts of calcite crystals, which are favorable for AMP adsorption. Adsorption experiments demonstrate that all four materials adhere to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm and Elovich kinetic models, indicating predominant physical adsorption, with some chemical adsorption also present. Thermodynamic studies demonstrate that BC is spontaneous during adsorption and is a heat-absorbing reaction. DSB exhibits the strongest AMP adsorption. A 53.81 mg g−1 adsorbance was obtained at a dosage of 150 mg, pH = 2, and 60 °C. This study introduces innovative approaches for managing waste types and provides data to support the selection of suitable solid wastes for the preparation of BC with excellent adsorption properties. Furthermore, it lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at enhancing the AMP treatment efficacy. Preparation and characterization of biochar and adsorption mechanism of ampicillin in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of soil threatens human health, food security, and ecosystem sustainability. The in situ stabilization of Cd has been recognized as a potentially economical technology for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil. Recently, biochar (BC) and activated carbon (AC) have received widespread attention as eco-friendly soil amendments that are more beneficial for plant growth, soil health, and remediation of contaminated soil. An experiment was performed in a paddy field to investigate the effects of two different types of BC (maize straw biochar and bamboo biochar) and AC (coconut shell activated carbon) in combination with rape organic fertilizer (R), calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (P), and fulvic acid (F), respectively, on soil Cd immobilization, Cd accumulation in rice, and yield. The results indicated that the BC/AC-based amendments reduced soil bioavailable Cd (DTPA-Cd) and brown rice Cd by 9.58%--27.06% and 19.30%--71.77%, respectively. The transformation of exchangeable Cd (Ex-Cd) to carbonate-bound Cd (Ca-Cd), Fe-Mn oxide bond (Ox-Cd), and residual (Re-Cd) in soil accounted for the mitigation of Cd uptake and enrichment by rice. Additionally, BC-/AC-based amendments altered soil physicochemical properties, which significantly increased the soil pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), soil organic carbon (SOC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), directly promoting soil health. All BC-/AC-based amendments significantly increased FeIMP and MnIMP concentrations by 47.31%--160.34% and 25.72%--73.09% in the Fe/Mn plaque (IMP), respectively. Maize straw and bamboo biochar-based amendments significantly increased rice yield by 10.46%--20.41% and 9.94%--16.17%, respectively, while coconut shell-activated carbon severely reduced rice yield by 65.06%--77.14%. The correlation analysis revealed that leaf Cd and IMP primarily controlled Cd uptake by rice, and soil pH, Eh, CEC, SOC, IMP, and TP influenced DTPA-Cd in soil. This field study demonstrated that maize straw and bamboo biochar-based amendments not only reduced soil DTPA-Cd in paddy fields but also decreased the accumulation of Cd in brown rice, as well as improved rice yield, which has potential application in Cd-contaminated agriculture fields. Coconut shell-activated carbon severely decreased rice yields, which is not appropriate for rice production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of various organic amendments on soil organic carbon (SOC) have rarely been reported. To address this, a laboratory experiment was designed to scrutinize the effects of different amendments on soil carbon fractions, microbial communities, and the underlying interactive mechanisms. The experiment encompassed a no-amendment control (CK), as well as treatments with corn straw (CS), tobacco stalks (TS), and peanut shell biochar (PB). Over a 70-day incubation, the SOC in plots amended with CS, TS, and PB displayed significant boosts of 13.9%, 17.5%, and 44.8%, respectively, compared to the CK. For soil carbon fractions, amendments with PB, TS, and CS led to a dramatic rise in particulate organic carbon (POC) of 27.4%, 20.2%, and 105.7%, respectively, in contrast to the CK plots. Mantel analysis and structural Equation Modeling uncovered strong interrelationships among the cbbL, cbbM, Bacteroidota, TOC, and POC. Organic amendments enhance soil carbon fractions, modulating the microbial community by increasing Bacteroidetes abundance and suppressing Acidobacteria richness, thereby influencing the abundance of key carbon cycle genes such as cbbL and cbbM. These results suggest that the addition of peanut shell biochar significantly boosted TOC and key carbon fractions, enhancing carbon content and soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to assess the ameliorants effect on the biological parameters and Haplic Chernozems hydrophobicity. In model experiment conditions, Haplic Chernozem was polluted by oil and remediation with application of nitroammophos, Sodium humate, biochar, and Baikal EM-1 was simulated during to 30, 90, and 180 days. Indicators of soils activity – germination and intensity indicators of initial seed growth, the activity of catalase and dehydrogenases, the total number of bacteria, hydrophobicity were studied. On the 30 and 90th days after remediation, the most significant reliable decrease in oil regarding was promoted by 2 D biochar. After 180 days of dose 1 D and dose 2 D nitroammophos, as well as 1 D Baikal EM-1, the total petroleum hydrocarbon content was reduced significantly. Baikal EM-1 and biochar contributes to the greatest decrease in hydrophobicity at all periods of the experiment to a greater extent. On the 30th day, the introduction of nitroammophos, biochar, and 1 D Sodium humate contributed to an increase in the integral indicator of the biological state of oil-contaminated Haplic Chernozem, on the 90th day, the introduction of all doses of biochar led to an increase in the indicator, and on the 180th – all doses of Baikal EM-1, and 0.5 D Sodium humate. The research results may be used when choosing a method of soil restoration after oil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has been extensively utilized to amend soil and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from croplands. However, the effectiveness of biochar application in reducing cropland GHG emissions remains uncertain due to variations in soil properties and environmental conditions across regions. In this study, the impact of biochar surface functional groups on soil GHG emissions was investigated using molecular model calculation. Machine learning (ML) technology was applied to predict the responses of soil GHG emissions and crop yields under different biochar feedstocks and application rates, aiming to determine the optimum biochar application strategies based on specific soil properties and environmental conditions on a global scale. The findings suggest that the functional groups play an essential role in determining biochar surface activity and the soil's capacity for adsorbing GHGs. ML was an effective method in predicting the changes in soil GHG emissions and crop yield following biochar application. Moreover, poor-fertility soils exhibited greater changes in GHG emissions compared to fertile soil. Implementing an optimized global strategy for biochar application may result in a substantial reduction of 684.25 Tg year−1 CO2 equivalent (equivalent to 7.87% of global cropland GHG emissions) while simultaneously improving crop yields. This study improves our understanding of the interaction between biochar surface properties and soil GHG, confirming the potential of global biochar application strategies in mitigating cropland GHG emissions and addressing global climate degradation. Further research efforts are required to optimize such strategies. Highlights: An optimized biochar application strategy could effectively reduce global cropland GHG emissions GA-BPNN-based ML excels at handling nonlinear responses of soil GHG emissions to biochar addition Biochar surface functional groups contribute to the decomposition of recalcitrant carbon Poor-fertility soil exhibited a greater response to biochar application compared to fertile soil [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the innovative hybrid photocatalyst PET-based Zn-MOF on orange peel biochar (BC)(PZM/BC) was designed and synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Electrochemical methods have been used to demonstrate the action of the PET-MOF in the PZM/BC photocatalyst as a medium for electron transfer. The latter involved the synthesis of a zinc-containing metal–organic framework (MOF) in which the linkers were derived from the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) originating from plastic wastes. According to research, the catalytic reactions are sped up when porous BC and linker PET are assimilated into PZM/BC photocatalyst hetero-junction. Furthermore, BC stored electrons under light and released these electrons under dark conditions. When BC was combined with PET-MOF, the electrons on the biochar activated the catalytic redox activity of acetaminophen. Additionally, it lowers the reassimilation rate due to the combined meshed nanostructures and functionality of PET-MOF and PZM/BC. UV–Vis DRS, Mott-Schottky, Photoluminescence(PL), and Electrochemical Impedance spectra(EIS) results showed that the PZM/BC exhibited efficient spatial separation and transportation of photogenerated charge carriers and exhibited superior photocatalytic ability. Electron spin resonance(ESR) analysis confirmed that ⋅OH and h+ were the predominant radical species responsible for the degradation of acetaminophen(ACT). The optimum conditions for ACT removal were observed at pH 6.07, with a PZM/BC dosage of 0.1 g L−1, and an initial ACT concentration of 50 mg L−1, highlighting the pivotal role of the PZM/BC system in ACT degradation. Furthermore, potential photocatalytic degradation pathways of ACT were inferred renders on the identified intermediates which are responsible for the degradation of refractory intermediates. Regeneration trials were carried out to assess the stability of the photocatalyst. Additionally, the degraded intermediates generated during the degradation processes were examined, providing a comprehensive elucidation of the degradation mechanism. Highlights: PZM/BC exhibited high ACT degradation efficiency and photostability under visible light. Strong redox potential enabled the generation of reactive oxygen radicals (ROS). Formation of ⋅OH and ⋅O2− radicals boosted ACT degradation over PZM/BC. Defect engineering to promote synergistic charge separation and visible-light absorption. Photocatalytic mechanism and electrochemical elucidated charge transfer pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron and steelmaking industries play a significant role in the manufacturing sector but result in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Biochar has recently gained attention as a potential substitute for coal in metallurgical processes due to its carbon capture potential. This review explores the potential of biochar as a sustainable substitute for coal in steelmaking industries. Notable research works have shown that substituting biochar in amounts ranging from as low as 5 % to as high as 50 % can be feasible and beneficial in processes such as coke making, iron sintering, blast furnaces, and electric furnaces. The information presented in this review can be applied to create sustainable and competitive alternatives to fossil fuels to help decarbonize metallurgical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The rapid increase of water pollution globally is a vital environmental concern that requires the immediate attention of researchers to find new innovative ways to remove unwanted environmental pollutants from our water sources. With the advances in the field of sustainable engineering, there is a high demand for the effective utilization of biomass resources for the removal of aqueous environmental contaminants. Biochar is carbon carbon‐enriched substance obtained by biomass pyrolysis; it is inexpensive and has received wide attention in the field of wastewater treatment. Herein, we describe the synthesis of pea pod (PO) biochar‐reinforced zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐8) nanocomposite (PO@ZIF‐8) through the in situ precipitation of ZIF‐8 onto the biochar surface. The crystal growth, morphology, chemical composition, and optical characteristics of fabricated PO@ZIF‐8 nanocomposite were scrutinized through PXRD, SEM, TEM, UV‐DRS, PL, and XPS analysis. The dodecahedral‐shaped PO@ZIF‐8 particles have an average size between 140 and 160 nm. The biochar‐reinforced ZIF‐8 nanocomposite showed significantly higher photocatalytic activity than the pure ZIF‐8 for the degradation of two commonly found organic dyes crystal violet (CV) and Victoria Blue (VB) in the presence of direct sunlight irradiation. The PO@ZIF‐8 nanocomposite showed the highest degradation efficiency of ~87% and ~80% within 50 min of irradiation time at a catalyst dosage of 20 mg for 30 ppm CV and VB dye solutions at pH 8. First‐order kinetics were obeyed during the photodegradation with 0.041 and 0.030 min−1 as the constant of degradation for the removal of CV and VB. The radical scavenger experiment and the photoluminescence analysis confirm the active participation of ·OH radical in the degradation of both dyes. LC–MS and TOC analysis was also performed to determine the degradation products and for evaluation of the degradation progress. Moreover, the synthesized PO@ZIF‐8 composite also exhibit good stability till the fourth cycle with high degradation efficiency thus making it a good choice of catalyst in the field of environmental decontamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential of biochar derived from various biomass sources: apricot kernel (AK), pine sawdust (PS), rice husk (RH), wheat straw (WS), and reed stem (RS) to enhance the yield, nutritional quality, and environmental sustainability of parsley crops. Comprehensive characterization through SEM, EDAX, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, and FTIR analyses identified AK biochar as the most suitable for further enrichment due to its superior specific surface area (512.3 m2/g) and iodine number (51.23 mg/g). EDAX analysis revealed that AK biochar exhibited the highest carbon content (92.1%), while RH biochar contained the highest silicon content (46%), indicating different potential applications. FTIR analysis identified key functional groups, such as carbonyl (1740 cm⁻1) and hydroxyl (3430 cm⁻1) groups, which contribute to the biochar's reactivity and potential effectiveness in various applications. The effects of selenium (Na2SeO4), iodine (KI), their combination (Na2SeO4 + KI), and BISF (biochar‐enriched iodine and selenium fertilizer) on parsley growth, antioxidant properties, and nutrient accumulation were evaluated. The results demonstrated that joint applications of iodide and selenate led to a 3.1‐fold increase in iodine content (up to 16.8 mg/kg d.w.) and a 1.2‐fold increase in selenium accumulation (up to 2482.1 μg/kg d.w.) in parsley compared to separate treatments. Additionally, BISF treatment significantly improved key biometric parameters, with leaf weight increasing by 1.6 times (up to 326.5 g) compared to the control, and antioxidant content—ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and antioxidant activity—showing increases of 1.56, 1.27, and 1.50 times, respectively. This study underscores the effectiveness of selenium‐ and iodine‐enriched biochar in enhancing parsley crop yield and nutritional quality while also demonstrating the multifunctional role of biochar in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nHIGHLIGHTSSoybeans are a vital crop globally, significantly contributing to food security, soil fertility, and economic development. However, soil conditions can constrain their productivity, including nutrient deficiencies and acidity. This study explores the combined effects of biochar (BC) and Rhizobium inoculation (RI) on soybean growth, nodulation, and yield. The experiment was conducted over two growing seasons and employed a split-plot design with five BC application rates (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 t ha− 1) and two RI levels (uninoculated and inoculated) across four replications. The results demonstrated that the integration of BC and RI significantly improved various growth parameters, including nodulation, biomass accumulation, pod number, and grain yield. The highest grain yield was observed at 8 t ha−1 BC with RI, yielding 3394 kg ha−1 in 2021 and 2542 kg ha−1 in 2022. This was identical to the yield attained with the 6 t ha−1 BC rate paired with RI in both years. The inoculated control treatment consistently demonstrated the lowest grain yield. Additionally, it showed a significant (p < .05) impact on the weight of one hundred seeds. The study also revealed significant and consistent relationships among soybeans’ growth and yield features. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the combined application of BC and RI has a positive impact on soybean yield and its key components. Bradyrhizobium inoculation of soybeans resulted in significant changes in plant growth and yield components compared to the control treatment.Rice husk BC application at different rates (2, 4, 6, and 8 t/ha) resulted in significant changes in plant growth and yield components compared to the control treatment.The combined application of BC and RI resulted in significant changes in plant growth and yield components compared to the control treatment.Plant growth parameters, including root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and nodulation showed significant improvement with RI and BC application.Significant improvement with RI and BC application was also observed in the yield components including pod yield, grain yield, 100-seed weight, and harvest index.Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between grain yield and shoot dry weight, root dry weight, nodule number, and nodule dry weight, indicating that higher grain was associated with better plant growth.Bradyrhizobium inoculation of soybeans resulted in significant changes in plant growth and yield components compared to the control treatment.Rice husk BC application at different rates (2, 4, 6, and 8 t/ha) resulted in significant changes in plant growth and yield components compared to the control treatment.The combined application of BC and RI resulted in significant changes in plant growth and yield components compared to the control treatment.Plant growth parameters, including root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and nodulation showed significant improvement with RI and BC application.Significant improvement with RI and BC application was also observed in the yield components including pod yield, grain yield, 100-seed weight, and harvest index.Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between grain yield and shoot dry weight, root dry weight, nodule number, and nodule dry weight, indicating that higher grain was associated with better plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) overloading in aquatic environments has long-been recognized as the leading cause of water quality deterioration, harmful algal bloom, and eutrophication. This study investigated P removal performance by five cost-effective carbonaceous materials (CMs) in flow-through packed column systems. These CMs include biochars pyrolyzed from feedstocks of Eucalyptus (E-biochar) and Douglas fir (D-biochar), commercial biochar (C-biochar), iron oxide-coated biochar (Fe-biochar), and commercial activated carbon (AC). The physicochemical properties of CMs, such as specific surface area (SSA), pore volume, pore diameter, elemental composition, and surface charge, were characterized. The packed column experimental results showed that P removal performance followed the order: E-biochar < D-biochar < C-biochar < Fe-biochar < AC. Specifically, the sorption capacity of 1 mg/L of P in packed columns was 0.0036 mg P/g E-biochar, 0.0111 mg P/g D-biochar, 0.0369 mg P/g D-biochar, 0.077 mg P/g Fe-biochar, and 0.088 mg P/g AC, respectively. The largest SSA (1012 m2/g) and pore volume (0.57 cm3/g) of AC accounted for the most outstanding P removal efficiency mainly by physical sorption, while electrostatic interaction explained the high P removal by Fe-biochar (SSA as low as 32.4 m2/g). Our findings provide direct practical implications for effectively removing P in water by cost-effective CMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Zn-Al-SO42− LDH-functionalized biochar was fabricated using the co-precipitation method. The biochar was synthesized from waste cow dung using a low-temperature pyrolysis process (300 °C). The materials were fully characterized by TGA, FTIR, EDS, SEM, and XRD analysis. Then, a comparative study was performed to investigate the adsorption capacity of the materials against an anionic dye (i.e., methyl orange (MO)). The LDH-functionalized biochar demonstrated high adsorption capacity (400 mg/g in 120 min, at pH 5) compared to the raw biochar (212 mg/g in 120 min, at pH 5). The effect of various adsorption parameters (e.g., pH of the dye solution, temperature, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, and contact time) was investigated. The adsorption of MO on LDH-functionalized biochar followed the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics, while the raw biochar followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The thermodynamic data indicated the endothermic nature of adsorption and an increase in the degree of randomness during adsorption. The enhanced adsorption capacity of the Zn-Al LDH-functionalized char was attributed to the synergistic effect of the surface adsorption into the porous biochar matrix, interlayer adsorption, and ion exchange capacity of the LDHs. Therefore, modification of waste cow dung–derived biochar with Zn-Al LDH can be a promising approach to fabricate a highly efficient adsorbent for toxic dyes from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food production is one of the most important sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both in primary production and in processing and the logistics chain. The most problematic and risky is the optimization of environmental effects in the stage of primary production. This is due to the significant influence of factors related to climate and soil that are difficult to predict. The scientific literature offers much information on the impact of crop residue management, but the context for assessing the impact of crop residue management in corn production on the carbon footprint is still unclear. The effectiveness of using organic additives like biochar, compost, corn, or straw to maintain soil productivity is well acknowledged. Information about the effects of particular crop residue management strategies on soil carbon sequestration, soil quality, and crop yield in corn cultivation is currently scarce. The research aimed to assess the potential for optimizing corn production through modifications in crop residue management, with a focus on the efficiency indicator being the level of greenhouse gas emissions per functional unit of the product. A 3-year growing experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different corn crop residue management strategies. The modifications of the corn cultivation technology in terms of the crop residue management strategy had a significant impact on the yield of plants and the amount of GHG emissions. The conversion of corn straw to biochar and its introduction into the soil reduced the GHG emissions from corn cultivation per functional unit, despite the energy expenditure related to straw transport and biochar production. From a 3-year time perspective, a beneficial effect of biochar addition on the size of the commercial yield of plants was observed. In variants with biochar and a reduced level of nitrogen fertilization, no reduction in yields was observed. This confirmed the hypothesis that biochar could be a useful material for the production of slow-acting fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using chicken manure biochar organic fertilizer as the material, the effects of different dosage and biochar application on the growth, development, and quality of Shangluo flue-cured tobacco were studied, in order to provide a theoretical basis for reducing the cost of using organic fertilizer in Shangluo tobacco area. In 2022, a community experiment was conducted on the application technology of chicken manure biochar organic fertilizer in Luonan County, Shangluo City, Shaanxi Province. Six treatments were set up: T1 [ conventional fertilization+ commercial chicken manure (450 kg/hm²) ], T2 [conventional fertilization + commercial chicken manure (900 kg/hm²)], T3 [conventional fertilization+commercial chicken manure (1 050 kg/hm²)], N1 [conventional fertilization+70 chicken manure/30 biochar (750 kg/hm²)], N2 [conventional fertilization+80 chicken manure/20 biochar (750 kg/hm²)] and N3 [conventional fertilization+90 chicken manure/10 biochar (750 kg/hm²)], with CK(conventional fertilization, no organic fertilizer) and CK, (conventional fertilization+tobacco company set organic fertilizer) as controls. The results showed that chicken manure biochar organic fertilizer could significantly improve the agronomic traits and disease resistance of tobacco plants; chicken manure biochar organic fertilizer increased the material accumulation of tobacco plants and enriched their organic elements; chicken manure biochar organic fertilizer significantly improved the economic traits of flue-cured tobacco. The combination of chicken manure and biochar was beneficial for improving the yield and quality of Shangluo flue-cured tobacco, among which N2 treatment [conventional fertilization+80 chicken manure/20 biochar (750 kg/hm²)] has the best effect on improving the growth and development of Shangluo flue-cured tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the effect of the application of corn straw biochar on the thermophysical properties of sierozem soil, the corn straw biochar with mass ratio of 0,1%, 3% and 5% were added to 100 g dried sierozem soil, and the effects of different applied amounts of corn stalk biochar on the physicochemical and thermophysical properties of sierozem soil were analyzed. The results showed that corn straw biochar could effectively improve the pH, organic matter content, porosity, water holding performance and cation exchange amount of sierozem soil, reduce soil bulk density, and thus enhance the fertility of sierozem soil; the higher the biochar application amount, the better the physicochemical properties of sierozem soil. Corn straw biochar could affect the thermophysical properties of soil, the heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of soil will decrease with the increase of biochar application. The thermophysical properties of sierozem soil were closely related to soil water content. In this study, besides the thermal diffusivity of BC500 was not significant (R²<0.95), and the others were significantly correlated with soil water content (R²≥0.95). The thermal capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of calcareous soil were significantly or extremely significantly negatively correlated with biochar application, significantly positively correlated with soil bulk density, and extremely significantly positively correlated with soil water content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acid or base modification of biochars has shown promise for enhancing the immobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as cadmium (Cd) in contaminated soils. However, limited information is available on the interaction between soil textural classes and modified biochar application for Cd stabilization in contaminated calcareous soils. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine the extent of Cd immobilization in contaminated calcareous soils with diverse textural classes, utilizing both acid (HNO3) and alkali (NaOH) modified and unmodified biochars derived from sheep manure and rice husk residues. The modified or unmodified biochars were applied at a rate of 2% (w/w) to Cd-contaminated silty clay loam, loam, and sandy loam soils, followed by a 90-day incubation at field water capacity. Sequential extraction and EDTA-release kinetics studies were used to assess the effect of the treatments on the extent and mechanisms of Cd immobilization. Among the treatments, acid-modified manure biochar was most effective at reducing water soluble and exchangeable Cd fractions (-20.5%), by converting them into metal oxide and organic matter bound fractions. This effectiveness was primarily attributed to the significant increase in surface oxygen functional groups in the acid-modified biochar which could promote Cd complexation. However, the acid-modified manure biochar released more immobilized Cd during EDTA extraction than the base-modified manure biochar, suggesting that EDTA extraction of R-O-Cd complexes was easier than extracting Cd associated with insoluble compounds. This difference was likely due to the acidic pH and lower ash content of the acid-modified biochars compared to the base-modified manure biochars. Additionally, the extent of Cd immobilization was lower in sandy loam soil, highlighting the importance of immobilizing Cd in light-textured soils to prevent its transfer to organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater produced in beryllium mining seriously affects ecological balance and causes great environmental pressure. We designed a novel porous lotus leaf biochar modified with PO43−/NH4+ multifunctional groups (MLLB) and used it for beryllium(Be) removal from beryllium mining wastewater. Kinetic and thermodynamic experiments showed that the adsorption capacity (Qe) of Be with MLLB from the simulated beryllium mining wastewater could reach 40.38 g kg−1 (35 °C, pH = 5.5), and the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The dispersion coefficient Kd of Be with MLLB was 2.6 × 104 mL g−1, which proved that MLLB had strong selective adsorption capacity for Be. Phosphoric acid, ammonia, and hydroxyl groups on the MLLB surface would complex with Be to form Be(OH)2 and Be(NH4)PO4 complexation products, which implied that surface complexation and precipitation reactions might co-existed in the adsorption process. The above results showed that MLLB could effectively adsorb Be and prevent beryllium exposure in a beryllium mining process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To counteract the contribution of CO2 emissions by cement production and utilization, biochar is being harnessed as a carbon-negative additive in concrete. Increasing the cement replacement and biochar dosage will increase the carbon offset, but there is large variability in methods being used and many researchers report strength decreases at cement replacements beyond 5%. This work presents a reliable method to replace 10% of the cement mass with a vast selection of biochars without decreasing ultimate compressive strength, and in many cases significantly improving it. By carefully quantifying the physical and chemical properties of each biochar used, machine learning algorithms were used to elucidate the three most influential biochar characteristics that control mortar strength: initial saturation percentage, oxygen-to-carbon ratio, and soluble silicon. These results provide additional research avenues for utilizing several potential biomass waste streams to increase the biochar dosage in cement mixes without decreasing mechanical properties. Highlights: A broad selection of biochars were used to replace 10 wt.% cement in mortars, resulting in similar or improved strength. Biochar moisture saturation percentage, O/C, and soluble silicon are the most important predictors of mortar strength. The data support the hypothesis that biochar improves strength via internal curing, found to be the most important mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the regeneration efficiency of methylene blue (MB) saturated biochar in H2O2 system, biochar was modified by Fe‐doped by using FeSO4 and Fe(NO3)3 as iron sources. The effects of Fe‐doped on its microstructure were characterized by XRD, SEM, and BET. The adsorption and regeneration performance of biochar before and after Fe‐doped were compared through adsorption and regeneration experiments. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and quenching experiments were used to explore the regeneration mechanism. The results show that Fe‐doped biochar (SP‐GBC) prepared from FeSO4 maintains a high specific surface area of 1205.9 m2/g and a high adsorption capacity of 375.43 mg·g−1 for MB. After adsorption, the MB‐saturated SP‐GBC exhibits excellent regeneration performance in the H2O2 system, in which the regeneration efficiencies for five consecutive cycles are 85.76%, 83.92%, 94.01%, 99.24%, and 100.79%, respectively. The synergistic effect of H2O2 desorption and degradation is the main regeneration mechanism for MB‐saturated SP‐GBC. The zero valent iron and Fe (II) on the surface of SP‐GBC are the main active sites for H2O2 activation, while 1O2 and HO· are the main oxidation species. In summary, this work provides a simple and feasible method for the design and synthesis of adsorbents with highly efficient regeneration performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nNovelty statementEnriched biochar with improved properties and functionality can play a significant role in providing sustainable solutions for mitigating heavy metal contamination in soil. In this experiment, the effects of solid and enriched biochars (potassium-enriched biochar (BC-K), magnesium-enriched biochar (BC-Mg), both individually and combined) were examined on soil microbial and enzyme activities, as well as nutrient uptake by basil plants cultivated in a soil with three levels of arsenic (nontoxic, 50 mg As kg−1 soil, and 100 mg As kg−1 soil). Biochar-related treatments, increased soil organic matter (65–76%), while decreased availability of arsenic (6–55%) in the soil. The microbial biomass carbon (by about 123%) and soil basal respiration (by about 256%), and soil enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, and dehydrogenase) were enhanced by enriched biochars under arsenic toxicity. The solid and particularly enriched biochars decreased arsenic content and improved nitrogen and phosphorus contents of roots and shoots, root length, root activity, and root and shoot biomass in basil plants. Therefore, it is conceivable to suggest that enriched biochars are superior treatments for improving nutrient absorption rates and basil growth under arsenic toxicity through decreasing arsenic mobility and increasing soil microbial activities.Nutrient-enriched biochars with improved physicochemical properties could help to increase plant productivity, especially under heavy metal-contaminated soils. High arsenic adsorbing capacity of nano-Mg- and K-enriched biochars reduced arsenic availability and improved soil microbial activities involved in nutrient metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the pyrolysis of biochar from different parts of residual aromatic young coconut waste, namely coconut fruit, coconut bunch, and coconut leaf, to be used as fillers in natural rubber (NR). Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy reveals that biochar has a flake‐like structure with a high carbon content (67%–77%). The biochar is mixed with NR using a two‐roll mill at filler contents of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 phr (part per hundred of rubber). Adding coconut fruit biochar at 40 phr increases the Shore A hardness to 59.62, a remarkable 47% improvement compared with unfilled NR. The maximum tensile strength occurs at 20 phr, while the highest tensile modulus (4.53 MPa) and tear strength (17,344 N m−1) are observed at 40 phr. Moreover, the swelling index of composites in toluene decreases slightly as biochar content increases, and the crosslink density is higher for NR filled with coconut fruit biochar than for other biochar types. Based on these results, coconut fruit biochar is identified as the most effective reinforcement filler for NR among the biochar types studied. Consequently, it can be used as a bio‐reinforcing agent in NR composites, contributing to sustainability and eco‐friendliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The widely adopted use of charred biomass for agronomic and environmental purposes; and the reported positive and deleterious effects necessitated the need for this study to ascertain the potential causes of the erratic results surrounding the use of charred biomass in agriculture and the environment. A batch sorption experiment was carried out to determine the sorptive and desorptive capacity of bone char and biochar on nitrate, ammonium, phosphate and sulphate concentrations in a loamy sand soil. The potential agronomic and environmental implications of the sorption data were also discussed. Results: The results indicated that bone char is richer in nutrient composition than biochar, with 70% more ability to sorb nutrients. The bone char and biochar sorption isotherms conformed to the H-curve isotherm type. Bone char and biochar have multiple layers of adsorption sites. Nutrient adsorption maxima, binding energy, and maximum buffering capacities of the soil were increased with the addition of bone char and biochar. The unamended soil was observed to retain as low as 6% of added nitrate to as much as 58% of added phosphate, while bone char retained 56% of added sulphate, 47% of phosphate, 76% nitrate and 64% of ammonium. Generally, bone char retained 60.6% of the added nutrients, while biochar retained 40.7% of the nutrients. The addition of bone char led to a 45.8% increase in the nutrient retention ability of the soil and a 36.1% increase with the addition of biochar. Conclusion: The nutrient sorption characteristics of biochar should be studied prior to its use as a soil nutrient amendment. It was concluded that bone char or biochar is a potential soil nutrient immobilizer; hence, applications for agronomic purposes should take cognizance of the native soil fertility so as to appropriately add fertilizer input before use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, several materials are presented as modifiers of the screen-printed carbon electrodes with the aim of developing new sensing platforms for the voltammetric analysis of drugs. Specifically, Clotiapine and Sulfamethoxazole were selected as models for antipsychotics and antibiotics, respectively. Different nanostructures were studied as modifiers, including both transition metals and carbon-based materials. Moreover, biochar and two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were tested as well. The NH2-MIL-125(Ti) MOF showed an 80% improvement in the analytical signal of Sulfamethoxazole, but it partially overlapped with an additional signal associated with the loss of the MOF ligand. For this reason, several immobilization strategies were tested, but none of them met the requirements for the development of a sensor for this analyte. Conversely, carbon nanotubes and the NH2-MIL-101(Fe) MOF were successfully applied for the analysis of Clotiapine in the medicine Etumine®, with RSD below 2% and relative errors that did not exceed 9% in any case, which demonstrates the precision and accuracy achieved with the tested modifications. Despite these promising results, it was not possible to lower the limits of detection and quantification, so in this sense further investigation must be performed to increase the sensitivity of the developed sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]