Modified Biochar as a More Promising Amendment Agent for Remediation of Pesticide-Contaminated Soils: Modification Methods, Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

With the acceleration of the process of agricultural modernization, many pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) are applied to the field and finally brought into the soils, causing serious damage to the environment. The problem of pesticide pollution has become increasingly prominent. This has highlighted the urgent need for effective and efficient remediation treatment technology for pesticide-contaminated soils. Biochar has a high specific surface area, high porosity, and strong adsorption capacity, making it a soil amendment agent and carbon fixation agent that can improve soil health and enhance adsorption capacity for pesticides to remediate contaminated soils. Recently, efforts have been made to enhance the physicochemical and adsorption properties of biochar by preparing modified biochar, and it has been developed to expand the application of biochar. Specifically, the following aspects were reviewed and discussed: (i) source and modification methods of biochar for pesticide remediation; (ii) the effect of biochar on the environmental fate of remediating pesticides; (iii) the effect of biochar on pesticide-contaminated soils; and (iv) potential problems for the large-scale promotion and application of biochar remediation of pesticides. In conclusion, this review may serve as a reference and guide for pesticide remediation, hence reducing the environmental concerns associated with pesticides in soil.

Biochar-Soil-Plant interactions: A cross talk for sustainable agriculture under changing climate

“…The pyrolysis of plant biomass breaks the natural C cycle and realizes carbon sequestration through biochar storage in the soil (Cara et al, 2022). It is assessed that around six GtC/yr of carbon biomass is accessible for biochar creation worldwide if 10% of net primary production is utilized, from which 3 GtC/yr of biochar can be created (Pan et al, 2022).…”

Mineral Coating Enhances the Carbon Sequestration Capacity of Biochar Derived from Paulownia Biowaste

“…Lastly, the aromatic-H absorption peak showed a redshift, likely due to the interaction with Ca 2+ [34]. These observations demonstrate that Ca 2+ in the mineral coating reacted with oxygencontaining functional groups in biochar through various pathways, effectively preventing the rupture of C=O bonds and minimizing the generation of CO x gases [35].…”

Functional biochar as sustainable precursors to boost the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge from a circular economy perspective: a review

“…Notably, high concentrations of corrosive chemicals such as acids and alkalis may have adverse environmental impacts (Kumar et al 2020). Redox-driven modification can increase the number of adsorption sites, oxygen-containing functional groups, and hydroxyl groups on the biochar surface, but it may also disrupt the biochar structure and microscopic pores (Pan et al 2022). Therefore, thorough research and evaluation are necessary to choose the most suitable activation and functionalization approaches for specific applications before selecting a modification method.…”