Biochar Today’s Post

I'm thrilled to share my latest publication in the prestigious Water Research journal, titled "Molecular and microbial insights towards anaerobic biodegradation of anionic polyacrylamide in oil sands tailings." This study offers a deeper look into the environmental impact and degradation dynamics of Anionic Polyacrylamide (A-PAM), a flocculant extensively used in oil sands tailings. Our findings highlight that lower concentrations of A-PAM enhance biodegradation efficiency, which is crucial for improving tailings management and mitigating environmental risks. Special thanks to my supervisor Dr. Gamal El-Din, and post-docs Dr. Muhammad Usman and Dr. Muhammad Arslan, for their invaluable support and guidance throughout this research. For those interested, here is a 50-day free access link to the full article. Dive in to discover more about our significant findings! https://lnkd.in/eGaNm_2g #Oilsands #WaterTreatment #PolymerDegradation #Sustainability

Silicon-activated rice husk biochar is an effective solution for cadmium-contaminated soils. By activating silicon in biochar with sodium hydroxide and calcium salts, the method enhances cadmium immobilization, reducing environmental risks and improving long-term stability for heavy metal remediation. https://buff.ly/4eM8BQx #Biochar #Pyrolysis #CarbonCapture

Industrial wastewater streams are a major source of harmful organic pollutants that pose a threat to both ecological well-being and human health. To address this issue, researchers are exploring advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as heterogeneous photocatalysis, which use reactive oxygen species to break down pollutants. However, current inorganic photocatalysts have limitations in their sunlight absorption and mineralization efficiency, while organic photocatalysts face challenges in carrier separation and treatment capacity. #wastewatermanagement #wastewatertreatment  

🌿 Updates from Carbon Research Journal: Eco-Friendly Biochar Production from Peanut Shells! 🌱 Due to its complex porous structure, biochar exhibits excellent adsorption capacity, making it a sustainable alternative to direct combustion for agricultural waste disposal. This study delves into the production of biochar from peanut shells via microwave-assisted pyrolysis, examining various pyrolysis temperatures (700-950°C), microwave powers (350-550W), and residence times (0.5-3.0h). Findings reveal that biochar yield stabilizes around 30% as specific surface area increases, peaking at 67.29 m²/g. Optimal conditions for producing microporous biochar were identified at 800°C, 500W, and 2.0h. The study proposes quantitative relationships between these conditions and biochar properties, guiding effective peanut shell reuse. This biochar's porous structure makes it ideal for applications in soil remediation, air, and liquid purification. Feel free to read the article! https://lnkd.in/gVcZ8zR2 #SustainableAgriculture #Biochar #WasteToEnergy #SoilRemediation #EnvironmentalScience #GreenTechnology

This research highlights the effectiveness of 1.5% Fe-functionalized #biochar (FBC) in reducing bioavailable As and Sb concentrations by 13.5% and 27.1%, respectively, demonstrating its potential in simultaneous metal(loid) immobilization and enhancement of soil enzyme activities and bacterial community complexity for sustainable co-contaminated #soilremediation. https://lnkd.in/gBUgZezw

The escalating concern over #heavymetal #pollution in #China necessitates innovative solutions for effective remediation. This study explores the promising synergy between biochar and organic phosphorus-degrading bacteria (OPB3–6–1) for heavy metal adsorption, utilizing #walnut green husk #biochar as the carrier. Loaded with OPB3–6–1, biochar (IOPB) demonstrated a remarkable synergistic effect. https://lnkd.in/gtBXENGe

A study developed a UV/oxalic acid-functionalized corn straw #biochar/peroxyacetic acid system, removing 94.7% of #sulfadiazine from water in 30 minutes. This method uses reactive oxygen species generated by UV-activated biochar, offering efficient degradation, sustainability, and repurposing of agricultural waste for environmental safety. #Biochar #Pyrolysis #CarbonCapture

Researchers developed a ZnO/ACSC@TiO2 composite using coconut shell #biochar, TiO2, and ZnO. This photocatalyst efficiently removes organic pollutants like #tetracycline and #RhodamineB from #wastewater via enhanced adsorption and photocatalysis, achieving up to 99.4% removal efficiency under visible light irradiation. https://lnkd.in/gJJh95dw

❇ Financial viability and risk analysis of biochar mediation in large-scale high-strength anaerobic wastewater treatment ❇ 🔍 As we strive for more sustainable solutions in #high_strength industrial #wastewater treatment processes, our latest research sheds light on the significant role #biochar can play in treating #distillery_wastewater. In this study, we experimented with biochar in three different particle sizes (<2 mm, 2–5 mm, >5 mm) to assess its effectiveness in #anaerobic_bioreactors, a crucial component of wastewater treatment. The findings were striking—biochar particles larger than 5 mm emerged as the most effective, achieving a specific methane yield of 268 ml/g COD and an impressive productivity rate of 0.43 L/L/d at an organic loading rate of 1.57 g COD/L/d. The lower particle sizes of biochar were washed out due to continuous operation while larger particles remained in suspension acting as a #microbial_biomass_carrier. ⚖️ When compared to Calcium Carbonate, biochar not only outperformed in methane production but also showed promising #economic_potential. Our detailed #techno_economic_analysis revealed that large-scale application of biochar in distillery wastewater treatment could yield a net present value of €769,564 with an 18% internal rate of return. 🚨However, it's important to note that while the financial prospects are encouraging, there's still a 48% #risk_of_financial_loss. Interestingly, this risk can be significantly mitigated with just a 1–3% annual increase in revenue from electricity, heat, and fertilizer sales—demonstrating how small adjustments can make a big difference. 🔬Looking ahead, our research will delve deeper into optimizing the use of biochar in the different #anaerobic_reactors for #continuous and #flexible power generation. We'll be exploring higher organic loading rates and analyzing microbial communities to better understand how biochar can support microbial growth and reduce microbial washout. By fine-tuning these variables, we aim to unlock even greater potential for biochar in sustainable wastewater treatment, contributing to both environmental and economic gains. Many thanks to Dr Anga Hackula for his valuable input. Link to the research study: https://lnkd.in/dZNfujGt

Adsorption of bisphenol A by activated carbon developed from PET waste by KOH activation. https://lnkd.in/dDdfwgSJ