A critical review of sustainable application of biochar for green remediation: Research uncertainty and future directions

Md Abdullah Al Masud; Won Sik Shin; Aniruddha Sarker; Ardie Septian; Kallol Das; Deen Mohammad Deepo; Mohammad Asif Iqbal; Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam; Guilherme Malafaia

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166813

A critical review of sustainable application of biochar for green remediation: Research uncertainty and future directions

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 15:904:166813. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166813. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Authors

Md Abdullah Al Masud¹, Won Sik Shin², Aniruddha Sarker³, Ardie Septian⁴, Kallol Das⁵, Deen Mohammad Deepo⁶, Mohammad Asif Iqbal⁷, Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam⁸, Guilherme Malafaia⁹

Affiliations

¹ School of Architecture, Civil, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: masuderel@knu.ac.kr.
² School of Architecture, Civil, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: wshin@knu.ac.kr.
³ Residual Chemical Assessment Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Jeollabuk-do 55365, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: fagunaniruddha@gmail.com.
⁴ Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional, BRIN), Serpong 15314, Indonesia. Electronic address: ardie.septian@brin.go.id.
⁵ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kalloldas91@gmail.com.
⁶ Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: deeposau089@gmail.com.
⁷ Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: iqbaldu88@gmail.com.
⁸ Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh; Department of Development Studies, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh. Electronic address: towfiq_dm@brur.ac.bd.
⁹ Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute-Urutaí Campus, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. Electronic address: guilhermeifgoiano@gmail.com.

PMID: 37683867
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166813

Abstract

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from the pyrolysis of organic biomass, has gained significant attention as a potential solution for sustainable green remediation practices. Several studies analyze biomass-derived biochar techniques and environmental applications, but comprehensive assessments of biochar limitations, uncertainty, and future research directions still need to be improved. This critical review aims to present a comprehensive analysis of biochar's efficacy in environmental applications, including soil, water, and air, by sequentially addressing its preparation, application, and associated challenges. The review begins by delving into the diverse methods of biochar production, highlighting their influence on physical and chemical properties. This review explores the diverse applications of biochar in remediating contaminated soil, water, and air while emphasizing its sustainability and eco-friendly characteristics. The focus is on incorporating biochar as a remediation technique for pollutant removal, sequestration, and soil improvement. The review highlights the promising results obtained from laboratory-scale experiments, field trials, and case studies, showcasing the effectiveness of biochar in mitigating contaminants and restoring ecosystems. The environmental benefits and challenges of biochar production, characterization, and application techniques are critically discussed. The potential synergistic effects of combining biochar with other remediation methods are also explored to enhance its efficacy. A rigorous analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of biochar for diverse environmental applications in terms of technical, environmental, economic, and social issues is required to support the commercialization of biochar for large-scale uses. Finally, future research directions and recommendations are presented to facilitate the development and implementation of biochar-based, sustainable green remediation strategies.

Keywords: Biochar; Biomass; Green remediation; Pollution; Sustainable environmental.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Charcoal / chemistry
Ecosystem
Environmental Restoration and Remediation*
Soil / chemistry
Soil Pollutants* / chemistry
Uncertainty
Water

Substances

biochar
Charcoal
Soil
Soil Pollutants
Water