Characterization of bioenergy biochar and its utilization for metal/metalloid immobilization in contaminated soil

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study is a comparison of the effect of biochar produced by bioenergy systems, via the pyrolysis and gasification processes, on the immobilization of metals/metalloids in soil. Because the processes for these two techniques vary, the feedstocks undergo different heating regimens and, as a result, their respective char products exhibit different physico-chemical properties. Therefore, this study focuses on (1) the characterization of derivative biochar from the bioenergy system to understand their features and (2) an exploration of various biochar impacts on the mobility of As and Pb in contaminated soil. The results showed bioenergy biochars (BBCs) performed well in mitigating Pb extractability (1 M ammonium acetate) with a Pb immobilization >80%, but unfavorably mobilized the bioavailable As, likely because of electrostatic repulsion and ion exchange competition. The BBC surface functional group would chemically bond with the As and remain stable against the pH change. An increment in aromatic carbon would effectively enhance cation-π interaction for Pb immobilization. Nevertheless, an amendment with richer condensed structure and higher inorganic minerals (Ca<SUP>2+</SUP>, K<SUP>+</SUP>, Mg<SUP>2+</SUP>, and Na<SUP>+</SUP>) can lead to better performance in retaining Pb.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Bioenergy system biochars (BBC) can be used to mitigate the bioavailability of metal(loid) pollutants in soil. </LI> <LI> The use of oxidizing gas in bioenergy technology can increase the surface functionality of the carbonaceous by-product. </LI> <LI> BBC characteristics are closely related to the immobilization performance of Pb and As in soil. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>