Engineered biochar for environmental decontamination in aquatic and soil systems: a review

Abstract

AbstractContamination of aquatic and soil systems by organic and inorganic pollutants has become a serious issue of concern worldwide. Viable and cost-effective solutions are urgently needed to mitigate the negative impacts of diverse pollutants on the environment and human health. Biochar has emerged as an effective and green material for the remediation of a wide spectrum of (in)organic pollutants. However, applications of pristine biochar in decontamination have encountered bottlenecks due to its limited properties which cannot meet the desired remediation requirements. Therefore, multiple modification methods have been developed for tailoring the physicochemical properties of biochar to enhance its effectiveness in environmental decontamination. This work provides a holistic review on the recent advances on the synthesis of engineered biochar using physical, chemical, and biological methods. Further applications and related mechanisms of engineered biochar in the field of environmental decontamination in aquatic and soil systems have also been summarized and discussed. In addition, existing challenges and research gaps are outlined, and future research needs are proposed. This review summarizes the scientific opportunities for a comprehensive understanding of using engineered biochars as effective materials for the remediation of contaminated water and soil. Graphical abstract