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There has been a ton of debate on developing goals and the conflicts regarding environmental preservation. In the wastewater treatment industry, biochar seems to appear as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative because of its high porosity and adsorbent capacity. This study used the Scopus database to map articles on the topic through a systematic methodology and screening. The results demonstrate the approach researchers are giving to biochar adsorbing characteristics. It was observed that research about biochar applied to wastewater is recent and shortage. China and India were the countries that most published about it. Sewage sludge was the most common biomass used for biochar production, and pyrolysis temperature remained mainly at 300° C to 700 °C. Also, the removal of heavy metals was the greater purpose of the studies. Finally, this mapping described biochar formation and its use as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment purposes, providing important data for directing future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the authors document evolving attitudes, policies and roles of stakeholders in wastewater and faecal-sludge management in India, China and Ghana. In each country there is momentum for expanding not just access to sanitation at the household/community levels, but also for greater treatment and safe end-of-life management of human excreta. Governments are increasingly looking to engage the private sector, but models of engagement that make a compelling business case and instil confidence in cost recovery will have to emerge before the private sector takes an active role in wastewater and faecal sludge treatment in low-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic in groundwater is a huge problem in numerous regions of the world. Many people are exposed to high arsenic concentrations and consequently risk getting ill or even die as a result of arsenic poisoning. There are several efficient technologies for the removal of arsenic but often these methods have disadvantages, e.g. high costs for installation and/or operation, the need for chemicals or the production of arsenic contaminated filter sludge. These disadvantages can make the application difficult, especially in poor regions. Under suitable ancillary conditions the subterranean (in-situ) treatment, which is often used for iron and manganese removal from groundwater, can also be applied for the removal of arsenic and can be a cost-effective treatment technology. A field trial was carried out with a low-cost in-situ treatment plant in West Bengal/India which is described in this paper, in order to investigate whether this treatment technology is also applicable under the boundary conditions there. As for the in-situ treatment technology besides oxygen no additives are required and no arsenic contaminated filter sludge is produced this technology could be a suitable method for arsenic removal especially in poor regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]