We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Transport and retardation of microplastic in biochar
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how biochar — a carbon material made from burned biomass — slows the movement of microplastics through soil and water systems. Biochar's ability to retard microplastic transport could help prevent plastic particles from spreading from contaminated agricultural land into waterways.
Microplastic is an emerging contaminant of concern. Presence of microplastic at significant level in aquatic and soil environments has been reported in recent studies; which highlights the microplastic pollution as a global environmental challenge. Recent studies have shown that biochar; which is a product of pyrolysis of biomass, presents promising properties as a carbonaceous absorbent for managing various contaminants. We will present the results of a series of experimental investigations on the removal of microplastic spheres (microbeads) by biochar and the interactions between microbeads and biochar. Filtration properties of biochar samples produced at three different temperatures from corn straw and a hardwood biochar show significant capacity for the removal and immobilisation of 10 μm diameter microplastic spheres. Biochar samples showed high immobilisation (95% removal efficiency) whilst 60-80% of microplastic particles were retained in sand under same experimental conditions. The microscopic examination of the samples that were retrieved after the leaching tests revealed that the microplastic spheres were immobilised through three morphologically controlled mechanisms (or combinations of those) which are conceptualised to be stuck, trapped and entangled mechanisms whilst the microplastic spheres would only stuck in the sand.
More Papers Like This
The Removal and Mitigation Effects of Biochar on Microplastics in Water and Soils: Application and Mechanism Analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how biochar can be used to both remove microplastics from water and mitigate their harmful effects in soils. Researchers found that woody biochar was the most effective type for adsorbing microplastics, while also helping to restore soil enzyme activities and microbial communities disrupted by plastic contamination. The study calls for further research into optimizing biochar applications and understanding the long-term environmental implications of biochar-microplastic interactions.
Effect of biochar on microplastics penetration treatment within soil porous medium under the wetting-drying cycles and optimisation of soil-biochar mixing format
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested whether plant-based biochar mixed into soil could prevent microplastics from moving deeper into the ground during repeated wetting and drying cycles that mimic seasonal rainfall. They found that biochar significantly improved microplastic retention in the soil, and experimented with different soil-biochar mixing configurations to optimize performance. The study suggests that biochar amendments could be a practical strategy for reducing microplastic migration through agricultural soils.
Advances and prospects of biochar in improving soil fertility, biochemical quality, and environmental applications
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste, can improve soil health and clean up pollutants including microplastics. Biochar's ability to absorb and trap contaminants makes it a promising tool for reducing microplastic pollution in agricultural soil. The findings suggest biochar could help limit the amount of microplastics that enter the food chain through crops grown in contaminated soil.
Applications of biochar in the remediation of soil microplastic pollution: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the use of biochar as a tool for remediating microplastic-contaminated soil. The study found that biochar application shows promise for addressing soil microplastic pollution by altering soil properties in ways that can reduce microplastic mobility and mitigate their negative effects on soil structure, plant growth, and biogeochemical cycling.
Biochar-based adsorption technologies for microplastic remediation in aquatic ecosystems
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
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.