Biochar for environmental remediation : principles, applications, and prospects /

Synthesizes state-of-the-art knowledge on biochar-based systems for environmental remediation. This book examines a wide variety of biochar applications for the remediation of inorganic, organic, microbial, and emerging contaminants in various environmental media, including drinking water, industria...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author: ScienceDirect (Online service)
Other Authors: Gwenzi, Willis (Editor)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Amsterdam, Netherlands ; Cambridge, MA : Elsevier, 2025.
Subjects:
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Table of Contents:
  • Front Cover
  • Biochar for Environmental Remediation
  • Copyright Page
  • Dedication
  • Contents
  • List of contributors
  • Preface
  • 1 Motivation: the case for biochar in environmental remediation
  • 2 Novel aspects of the book
  • 3 The book at a glance: layout and content
  • 4 Target audience
  • Acknowledgments
  • 1 Biochar technology: fundamental principles
  • 1 Biochar for environmental remediation at a glance: principles, applications, and prospects
  • 1.1 Introduction
  • 1.2 Purpose, motivation, and novelty
  • 1.2.1 The origin and evolution of biochar technology
  • 1.2.2 Recent shifts and expansions in biochar research
  • 1.2.3 The case for biochar in environmental remediation
  • 1.2.4 Gaps in the existing literature and the need for a comprehensive resource
  • 1.2.5 Addressing the need for a comprehensive book
  • 1.2.6 Novel aspects of the book
  • 1.3 The book at a glance: layout and content
  • 1.3.1 Thematic sections
  • 1.3.2 Overview of the chapters
  • 1.4 Future perspectives and prospects
  • 1.5 Summary and concluding remarks
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • 2 Feedstocks, preparation, and characteristics of pristine biochars
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 Types of biomass feedstocks for biochar preparation
  • 2.2.1 Agricultural, forest, and aquatic biomass
  • 2.2.2 Plastics
  • 2.3 Biomass quantification approaches
  • 2.3.1 Agricultural waste
  • 2.3.2 Municipal solid waste
  • 2.3.3 Animal manure
  • 2.3.4 Municipal sewage sludge
  • 2.4 Preparation of biochar
  • 2.4.1 Pyrolysis systems for biochar production
  • 2.4.1.1 The process of pyrolysis
  • 2.4.1.2 Types of pyrolysis
  • 2.4.1.2.1 Slow pyrolysis
  • 2.4.1.2.2 Fast pyrolysis
  • 2.4.1.2.3 Flash pyrolysis
  • 2.4.2 Effects of pyrolysis type/temperature on changes in functional groups
  • 2.4.3 Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass
  • 2.4.4 Gasification of biomass.
  • 2.4.5 Torrefaction of biomass
  • 2.5 Biochar physicochemical properties and characterization techniques
  • 2.5.1 Biochar physicochemical characterization
  • 2.5.2 Biochar physicochemical properties
  • 2.5.2.1 Chemical properties
  • 2.5.2.2 Physical properties
  • 2.6 Functional characterization
  • 2.6.1 Analytical methods
  • 2.6.2 Artificial intelligence
  • 2.7 Applications of biochar
  • 2.7.1 Agriculture
  • 2.7.2 Composite development
  • 2.7.3 Environmental remediation
  • 2.8 Summary and outlook
  • References
  • 3 Development of novel engineered/functionalized biochars
  • 3.1 Introduction
  • 3.2 Biochar synthesis routes
  • 3.3 Activation techniques
  • 3.3.1 Physical activation
  • 3.3.2 Chemical activation
  • 3.4 Environmental remediation applications
  • 3.4.1 Removal of organic contaminants
  • 3.4.2 Removal of inorganic contaminants
  • 3.5 Novel characteristics of engineered biochars
  • 3.6 Contaminant removal mechanisms
  • 3.6.1 Organic contaminants
  • 3.6.2 Inorganic contaminants
  • 3.7 Economic feasibility studies of biochar production and application
  • 3.8 Future outlook and conclusion
  • 3.8.1 Synthesis and fabrication
  • 3.8.2 Testing and evaluation
  • 3.8.3 Regeneration and disposal
  • References
  • 4 Design, characterization, and evaluation of biochar: recent advances, applications, and future research directions
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Characterization of biochar and biochar-contaminant systems
  • 4.2.1 Biochar surface properties/phenomena
  • 4.2.2 Internal microstructure
  • 4.2.3 3-D micro-CT analysis
  • 4.2.4 Synchrotron X-ray microtomography and multifractal analysis
  • 4.3 Design and evaluation of biochar systems
  • 4.3.1 In-silico-computational modeling or computer-aided design approach
  • 4.3.2 Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools
  • 4.3.3 Current and potential applications.
  • 4.4 Future perspectives and research directions
  • 4.5 Conclusions
  • References
  • 5 Harnessing biochar for sustainable catalysis in environmental applications
  • 5.1 Introduction
  • 5.2 Nature of biochar catalysts
  • 5.3 Preparation and characterization of biochar catalysts
  • 5.4 Mechanisms of biochar catalysis
  • 5.4.1 Fenton system
  • 5.4.2 Persulfate activation system
  • 5.4.3 Photocatalytic system
  • 5.5 Biochar catalysts regeneration
  • 5.6 Environmental applications of biochar catalysis
  • 5.7 Future research directions
  • 5.8 Conclusions
  • AI Disclosure
  • References
  • 2 Biochar for contaminated land remediation
  • 6 Biochar remediation of inorganic contaminants in soils
  • 6.1 Introduction
  • 6.2 Occurrence of inorganic contaminants in soils
  • 6.2.1 Metal and nutrient-contaminated soils
  • 6.2.2 Wastewater and sludge-amended soils
  • 6.2.3 Occurrence of inorganic contaminants in munition fields
  • 6.3 Biochar removal of inorganic contaminants
  • 6.4 Large-scale remediation of inorganics by biochars
  • 6.5 Mechanisms for biochar removal of inorganic contaminants in soils
  • 6.5.1 Adsorption and immobilization mechanisms
  • 6.5.1.1 Physical adsorption
  • 6.5.1.2 Ion exchange
  • 6.5.1.3 Complexation
  • 6.5.1.4 Precipitation
  • 6.5.1.5 Reduction-oxidation process
  • 6.5.2 Synergistic interactions of biochar with other remediation technologies
  • 6.6 Factors affecting capacity of biochar in soil remediation
  • 6.6.1 Physiochemical attributes of polluted soils
  • 6.6.2 Physicochemical characteristics of biochars and removal efficacy
  • 6.6.3 Application rate and particle sizes
  • 6.7 Behavior and the fate of contaminants in biochar-amended soils
  • 6.7.1 Properties influencing the behavior of contaminants in biochar-amended soils
  • 6.7.2 Other factors influencing the bioavailability of contaminants in biochar-amended soils.
  • 6.8 Conclusion and outlook
  • References
  • 7 Biochars for the remediation and repurposing of postmining landscapes and metalliferous substrates: applications and futu...
  • 7.1 Introduction
  • 7.2 The case for biochar-based land remediation
  • 7.2.1 The rationale and context
  • 7.2.2 Biochar feedstocks and production systems
  • 7.3 The nature and extent of contaminated lands
  • 7.3.1 Postmining landscapes
  • 7.3.2 Metal-contaminated lands
  • 7.3.3 Serpentinitic geological systems
  • 7.3.4 Sludge and wastewater-amended soils
  • 7.4 Biochar-based remediation of contaminated lands
  • 7.4.1 Revegetation of postmining landscapes
  • 7.4.2 Metal-contaminated soils
  • 7.4.3 Toxic geogenic contaminants in serpentines
  • 7.4.4 Sludge and wastewater-amended soils
  • 7.4.5 Mechanisms of biochar remediation of mine wastes and metalliferous substrates
  • 7.4.5.1 Immobilization of trace metals
  • 7.4.5.2 pH modification
  • 7.4.5.3 Soil structure improvement
  • 7.4.5.4 Nutrient retention, bioavailability, and uptake
  • 7.4.5.5 Enhancement of microbial activity
  • 7.4.5.6 Plant growth promotion
  • 7.4.5.7 Reduction of toxic metal uptake by plants
  • 7.4.6 Design of biochar-based remediation systems
  • 7.5 Future research and perspectives
  • 7.5.1 Increasing Africa's research footprint on biochar-based remediation systems
  • 7.5.2 Long-term behavior and fate of contaminants
  • 7.5.3 Remediation of organic contaminants
  • 7.5.4 Biochar-based extraction and recovery systems for essential elements
  • 7.5.5 Large-scale pilot field studies
  • 7.5.6 Technical and economic feasibility studies
  • 7.5.7 Repurposing postmining landscapes as biomass sources for a circular bioeconomy
  • 7.5.8 Metal-enriched biomass from metalliferous substrates as a unique biomass feedstock
  • 7.5.9 Building Africa' biochar research capacity.