We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Evaluation of Biochar as an Amendment for the Removal of Metals, Nutrients, and Microplastics in Bioretention Systems
AI summary Read the abstract
This study evaluated biochar as an amendment to bioretention soil media for removing metals, nutrients, and microplastics from stormwater runoff. Results showed that biochar improved contaminant removal across all three pollutant classes compared to unamended soil media, supporting its use in green stormwater infrastructure.
Bioretention systems use plants and soil media to treat pollutants in stormwater. Biochar can be an effective amendment to bioretention soil media for removing pollutants due to its adsorption properties. This study evaluates biochar as an amendment to bioretention soil media for the removal of contaminants in stormwater. Columns with varying ratios of biochar to bioretention soil media (0%, 25%, and 50% biochar) were tested to evaluate the removal efficiencies of copper, zinc, phosphorus, nitrogen, and microplastics from stormwater. Five trials were conducted with stormwater collected from parking lot runoff. Results show that the addition of biochar in bioretention systems improves the removal efficiency of zinc (average of 79% in columns with 50% biochar compared to 54% in columns without biochar) and copper (average of 73% in columns with 50% biochar compared to 25% in columns without biochar). Stormwater effluent from the biochar-amended columns also had significantly lower turbidity (21 NTU) than that of the control columns (58 NTU). Consistent leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus species was evident in the control as well as the biochar-amended columns, with average removal efficiencies of −1,114% for total nitrogen and −703% for total phosphorus. Microplastics were effectively removed by all columns, regardless of biochar amendment, with an average removal of 86%. This study indicates that biochar has the potential to reduce metal concentrations in stormwater when used as an amendment to bioretention systems but has a limited impact on nutrients and microplastics.
More Papers Like This
Synergistic effects of biochar and vegetation on microplastic and nanoplastic removal from stormwater runoff in bioretention systems
AI summary Read the abstract
A lab study tested systems that filter stormwater using charcoal-like material (biochar) and plants, to see how well they remove tiny plastic particles. Both treated and untreated biochar removed nanoplastics early on, while plants reduced plastic leaking out over time and showed signs of absorbing microplastics into their roots.
Removal of microplastics and metals in biochar beds for stormwater treatment: Effects of prolonged drying and salinity on pollutant mobility
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested biochar — a charcoal-like material made from organic waste — as a filter for removing microplastics and heavy metals from stormwater runoff, finding it retained up to 99% of microplastics but that prolonged dry periods and high salinity increased the release of metals, highlighting real-world limitations of this promising treatment approach.
Advancing microplastics remediation in bioretention systems using biochar/kaolin: Optimizing organics removal, plant health, and microbial community dynamics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested biochar, kaolin, and a combined kaolin-biochar composite in stormwater filtration columns and found the composite removed up to 97% of microplastics while also improving removal of organic pollutants and supporting beneficial soil bacteria. Adding plants to the system further boosted microplastic capture, pointing toward affordable, nature-friendly water treatment upgrades.
Innovative bioretention filters effectively remove microplastics from polluted stormwater
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers constructed a pilot rain garden facility with 13 bioretention filters incorporating innovative sorbent materials — waste-to-energy bottom ash, biochar, and Sphagnum peat — mixed with sandy loam and planted with salt-tolerant vegetation, then irrigated with stormwater from a highway over 48 months to evaluate microplastic removal efficiency by pyrolysis-GC/MS. They found the bioretention filters effectively removed diverse microplastic polymers from urban stormwater, with all 13 target polymers detected in inflow and variable removal efficiencies across sorbent treatments.
Succession of biochar addition for soil amendment and contaminants remediation during co-composting: A state of art review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how adding biochar during composting improves soil health and reduces contaminants, finding that co-composting with biochar can remediate heavy metals by 66–95% and also adsorb emerging organic pollutants like microplastics and pesticides, though some changes to soil microbial communities may inadvertently favor pathogens.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.