The removal of contaminants from water using low-cost adsorbents has been widely studied, yet studies employing a realistic water matrix are still lacking. This study investigated the removal of organic compounds (trimethoprim, fluconazole, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) and metals (As, Zn, and Cu) from landfill leachate. Additionally, tests in pure water, humic acid, and ion matrices were carried out to better understand how the water matrix affects adsorption. The hydrochars were produced from four feedstocks at three carbonization temperatures. The results show that the removal efficiencies for organic pollutants were low and metal removal by hydrochars was comparable with commercial activated carbon. The removal of all compounds from pure water was substantially lower. Tests with humic acid and ion-containing matrices could not fully explain the increased removal in the landfill leachate, which may be due to the combination of the water matrix and presence of soluble species from the hydrochars.
Keywords: Adsorption; Horse manure; Hydrochars; Paper mill sludge; Sewage sludge; Water treatment.