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Sewage sludge biochars as effective PFAS-sorbents
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Researchers found sewage sludge biochars perform comparably to commercial activated carbon for PFAS removal, though competitive sorption between congeners significantly reduces effectiveness in mixed-contaminant scenarios.
The use of sewage sludge to produce biochar-based sorbents for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal from water and soil may be an economically and environmentally sustainable waste management option. This study compared the sorption of six perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) by two sewage sludge biochars (SSBCs) and one wood chip biochar (WCBC), dry pyrolyzed at 700 °C. Batch sorption tests were conducted by adding individual PFCAs and a PFCA-mixture to pure biochars and mixtures of biochar and a sandy soil (1.3% TOC). PFAS-sorption to the SSBCs exhibited log-linear biochar-water distribution coefficients (log Kd), comparable to those previously reported for commercial activated carbons (e.g., 5.73 ± 0.02 for perfluorooctanoic acid at 1 µg/L). The strong sorption of PFCAs was attributed to the SSBCs relatively high pore volumes in the pore size range that can accommodate these compounds. Sorption was attenuated by the presence of soil (by factors 3-10), by the presence of a mixture of PFCAs (by factors of 6-532) and by both together (by factors of 8-6581), indicating strongly competitive sorption between PFCA-congeners, and less severe sorption attenuation by soil organic matter. These findings could enable sustainable value chains for SSBs in soil remediation and water filtration solutions.
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Environmental behavior of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and the potential role of biochar for its remediation: a review
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This review summarizes how biochar, a carbon-rich material made from organic waste, can be used to clean up PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the persistent "forever chemicals" found widely in the environment. Since microplastics can carry and transport PFAS through water systems, understanding how to remove PFAS is an important piece of the broader pollution picture.
Biochar-Based Environmental Carbon Materials for Water Pollution Control: Modification Methods, Mechanisms, and Environmental Impacts – A Comprehensive Review
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This comprehensive review of biochar modification strategies examines how engineered biochars remove heavy metals, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and dyes from water through mechanisms including ion exchange, π-π interactions, and hydrophobic partitioning, while identifying aging, leaching, and scale-up as key challenges. Biochar's demonstrated versatility across pollutant classes makes it a strong candidate for integrated treatment systems targeting microplastic particles alongside co-contaminants frequently found adsorbed to plastic surfaces.
Occurrence, Concentration, and Distribution of 35 PFASs and Their Precursors Retained in 20 Stormwater Biofilters
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Researchers analyzed 35 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their precursors in 20 urban stormwater biofilter systems, revealing complex fate and transport behaviors that suggest current biofilter designs are insufficient to fully capture these persistent chemicals before they enter waterways.
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in sewage sludge: challenges of biological and thermal treatment processes and potential threats to the environment from land disposal
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This review summarizes data on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as 'forever chemicals') found in sewage sludge, which is commonly spread on farmland. Current biological and thermal treatment methods struggle to fully remove these persistent chemicals from sludge. While focused on PFAS rather than microplastics, the findings are relevant because both contaminants accumulate in sludge and enter the food chain when that sludge is applied to agricultural soil.
Adsorption of Forever Chemical Pollutants: The Physical Chemistry of PFAS near Surfaces
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This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the physical chemistry governing how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) adsorb onto solid surfaces, covering molecular interactions, thermodynamics, kinetics, and the influence of environmental variables like pH and salinity. The authors identify critical knowledge gaps that currently limit the development of effective adsorption-based remediation strategies for these persistent 'forever chemical' pollutants.
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