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Harnessing agro-waste to combat microplastic pollution: Investigating the potential of low-temperature biochar from carrot and beetroot petioles
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Scientists turned carrot and beetroot plant scraps into a charcoal-like material that can soak up microplastics from water, working in just 7 minutes and reusable up to 5 times. Since microplastics in water can end up in our bodies and are linked to health concerns, this cheap, waste-based cleanup method could offer a sustainable way to filter them out before they reach our taps.
The growing concern over microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic environments necessitates the development of effective, sustainable adsorbents for environmental remediation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of low-temperature biochar (LBC, partially carbonized) produced from carrot petiole (DCP) and beetroot petiole (BVP) waste through low-temperature pyrolysis at 200°C for removing microplastics. The novelty of this work lies in the comparative valorization of two previously unexplored vegetable-petiole wastes, and the use of MP prepared from commonly discarded disposable plastic glasses (PG) and polyethene terephthalate bottles (PB), rather than commercial MP particles. Under the optimised conditions, DCP achieved the highest adsorption capacities (q e ) of 131.6 mg g −1 and 116.8 mg g −1 for PG and PB, respectively, while for BVP, q e was 66.1 mg g −1 and 45.4 mg g −1 for PG and PB, respectively. DCP is superior to BVP in adsorption and regeneration capacity due to its higher surface area and pore structure. Remarkably, DCP reaches adsorption equilibrium rapidly in 7 min. Both DCP and BVP demonstrate excellent removal efficiency and significant regeneration capability for up to 5 cycles. Preliminary laboratory cost analysis indicates that the LBC production process is environmentally friendly due to its low energy consumption and sustainability. Environmental risk assessments show that the produced BC is stable, non-toxic, and recyclable, making it a promising alternative to commercially available adsorbents. This research supports the principles of a circular economy, which are essential for sustainable environmental management, and advances green technology for microplastic remediation through waste valorization, regeneration, and environmental safety.
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Efficient Removal and Resource Utilization of Microplastics in Aquatic Environment by Biomass-derived Functional Carbon
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Scientists are developing a special charcoal-like material made from plant waste that can soak up microplastics from water, potentially offering a cheaper, greener alternative to current cleanup methods. Since microplastics have been found in our food, water, and even our bodies, better tools to filter them out of water supplies could help reduce our overall exposure to these particles. That said, this technology is still in development—researchers note it's expensive to scale up and its real-world safety and effectiveness need more testing before it can be widely used.
Biochar-based adsorption technologies for microplastic remediation in aquatic ecosystems
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This review examines the use of biochar, a carbon-rich material made from organic waste, as a tool for removing microplastics from water. Biochar can effectively adsorb microplastic particles due to its porous structure and surface chemistry, and it can be produced cheaply from agricultural waste. The technology shows promise as an affordable and sustainable approach to reducing microplastic contamination in waterways, though challenges remain in scaling it up for real-world water treatment.
Engineered biochar for microplastic remediation in aquatic environments: Interfacial mechanisms, modification strategies, and future perspectives
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Tiny plastic particles are showing up everywhere in our water, and current treatment plants can only filter out 40-78% of them, meaning the rest ends up in our environment and potentially our bodies. This review paper highlights biochar—a charcoal-like material made from plant waste—as a cheap, eco-friendly filter that can be specially engineered to capture up to 99% of microplastics from water. While promising, scientists still need to standardize these methods and test them at larger scales before this becomes a widespread solution for cleaner drinking water.
Conservation of Agricultural Waste into Functional Carbon Materials for Sustainable Water Purification
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Scientists are turning farm leftovers, like corn cobs and husks, into a charcoal-like material that can filter dangerous stuff out of water, including toxic metals like lead, harmful dyes from factories, and even microplastics. This matters because it could offer a cheap, eco-friendly way to clean up drinking water sources, especially in areas where expensive filtration systems aren't an option. Removing microplastics is particularly important for human health, since these tiny plastic particles have been linked to potential health risks when ingested through contaminated water.
Biochar-facilitated remediation of nanoplastic contaminated water: Effect of pyrolysis temperature induced surface modifications
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Researchers synthesized sugarcane bagasse biochar at three pyrolysis temperatures and found that biochar produced at 750°C removed over 99% of nanoplastics from water within 5 minutes, with monolayer sorption kinetics and a capacity of 44.9 mg/g, offering a rapid and efficient agricultural-waste-derived remediation approach.
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