Recent trends and economic significance of modified/functionalized biochars for remediation of environmental pollutants

Abstract

The pollution of soil and aquatic systems by inorganic and organic chemicals has become a global concern. Economical, eco-friendly, and sustainable solutions are direly required to alleviate the deleterious effects of these chemicals to ensure human well-being and environmental sustainability. In recent decades, biochar has emerged as an efficient material encompassing huge potential to decontaminate a wide range of pollutants from soil and aquatic systems. However, the application of raw biochars for pollutant remediation is confronting a major challenge of not getting the desired decontamination results due to its specific properties. Thus, multiple functionalizing/modification techniques have been introduced to alter the physicochemical and molecular attributes of biochars to increase their efficacy in environmental remediation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in developing multiple functionalized/modified biochars via biological and other physiochemical techniques. Related mechanisms and further applications of multiple modified biochar in soil and water systems remediation have been discussed and summarized. Furthermore, existing research gaps and challenges are discussed, as well as further study needs are suggested. This work epitomizes the scientific prospects for a complete understanding of employing modified biochar as an efficient candidate for the decontamination of polluted soil and water systems for regenerative development.

Advancements in application of modified biochar as a green and low-cost adsorbent for wastewater remediation from organic dyes

“…Biochar, emerging as a low-cost pollutant adsorbent, is gaining prominence. Recent studies show that laboratory-produced biochar can adsorb organic dye pollutants comparable to commercial activated carbon [ 81 , 82 ]. Biochar and its modified composites present a new, cost-effective and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment technology.…”

Investigating the growth promotion potential of biochar on pea (Pisum sativum) plants under saline conditions

“…Application of biochar to improve soil health, possesses high potential to improve plant growth and yield as well as escalate resistance to abiotic stresses due to its ability to regulate ionic homeostasis, antioxidant machinery, heavy metal accumulations, and oxidative damages 30 . Furthermore, biochar can maintain photosynthetic activity, improve transpiration, protein synthesis, and nutritional uptake, and improve stress tolerance by regulating ROS generation 31 , 32 .…”