Contaminate Remediation with Biochar and Nanobiochar Focusing on Food Waste Biochar: A Review

Elbasiouny, Heba Yahia; Elbehiry, Fathy; Al Anany, Fathia S.; Almashad, Aliaa A.; Khalifa, Asmaa M.; Khalil, Azhar Mostafa Mohamed; Elramady, Hassan; Brevik, Eric C.

doi:10.21608/ejss.2023.229851.1642

Contaminate Remediation with Biochar and Nanobiochar Focusing on Food Waste Biochar: A Review

Document Type : Review papers

Authors

¹ Azhar Uni

² Basic and Applied Science Department, Higher Institute of Agricultural Cooperation, Shubra El-Kheima, Egypt

³ Environmental and Biological Sciences Department, Home Economics Faculty, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

⁴ Food Science and Technology Department, Home Economics Faculty, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

⁵ Soil and Water Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt;

⁶ Dean, College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences Agriculture Building, Room 200 Southern Illinois University 1205 Lincoln Drive Carbondale, IL 62901 USA

10.21608/ejss.2023.229851.1642

Abstract

Pollution creates world-wide environmental and human health concerns. Biochar (BC) and nanobiochar (NBC) may be used in the production of smart materials that may revolutionize remediation research. BC’s ability to adsorb pollutants makes it an attractive cost-effective soil treatment option. To improve BC properties and composition, it is activated and modified by regulating pyrolysis or with the addition of various compounds such as metal nanoparticles (NPs), magnetite, and nano zero-valent iron. In comparison to BC, NBC has a superior capacity to adsorb contaminants and nutrients, making it a suitable waste management option. Food waste represents one-third of the food produced globally and is a promising potential source of BC. In this review, some trends are identified and assessed, such as production of BC by biomass pyrolysis. Applications in soil and water remediation and their mechanisms are also discussed. The production of BC and NBC from low-cost materials, compared to expensive traditional remediation, provides inexpensive, meaningful treatment options for a range of contaminants in soil and water. We concluded that BC and NBC have high potential to remove contaminants in soil and water due to their distinctive characteristics.

Keywords