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Trends in the applications of biochar for the abatement of microplastics in water
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This review examines how biochar can be used to remove microplastics and nanoplastics from water, summarizing recent advances in biochar modification strategies that improve adsorption capacity and minimize secondary pollution risks.
The extensive use of plastic materials in modern society has led to the pervasive release of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). These plastic particles have infiltrated diverse environmental matrices and biological systems, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human health, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and cardiovascular diseases. In response, global attention has turned towards effective remediation strategies. Among these, biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass, has emerged as a promising solution due to its high surface area, adaptable surface chemistry, cost-effectiveness, and potential to valorise waste. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in the use of pristine and modified biochar for MP remediation from water. It also explores future pathways, including the application of biochar in synergistic technologies integrating photocatalysis, membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes, constructed wetlands, microbial horizontal gene transfer, and data-driven approaches using machine learning and artificial intelligence. The review aims to enhance understanding of the underlying adsorption mechanisms involved in MP mitigation by biochar, as well as the governing forces, based on the most recent research literature. It identifies key limitations in biochar application and outlines strategic directions to address these challenges. Additionally, it discusses biochar's pivotal role in advancing circular economy principles and promoting environmental sustainability, emphasizing its multifunctionality as both an adsorbent and a soil enhancement material. This comprehensive review not only underscores the urgency of addressing plastic pollution but also positions biochar as a vital and promising component in the development of next-generation remediation technologies, contributing to climate change mitigation and fostering a sustainable planet. • Critical elucidation of biochar as a benign solution for microplastic mitigation. • Comprehensive adsorption mechanisms and biochar modification interactions. • Future perspectives on sustainable technologies for microplastics remediation. • One-point guide and strategies for a microplastics-free environment. • Envisions data-driven remediation using machine learning and AI.
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Removal of micro- and nano-plastics from aqueous matrices using modified biochar – A review of synthesis, applications, interaction, and regeneration
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This review examines how modified biochar materials can be used to remove micro- and nanoplastics from water. Researchers found that chemical functionalization and nanoparticle integration of biochar significantly improve its ability to capture plastic particles through mechanisms like electrostatic interaction and physical adsorption. The study also highlights challenges in regenerating used biochar for sustainable reuse in water treatment applications.
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.
Biochar applications in microplastic and nanoplastic removal: mechanisms and integrated approaches
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This review explores how biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste, can be used to filter microplastics and nanoplastics out of water. Researchers found that biochar works through several mechanisms and becomes even more effective when combined with other water treatment technologies. The study suggests biochar-based approaches could be a practical, low-cost strategy for tackling plastic pollution in water systems.
The Removal and Mitigation Effects of Biochar on Microplastics in Water and Soils: Application and Mechanism Analysis
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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.
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.
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