Abstract
This study investigated the adsorption performance of biochar produced from different types of urban biowaste material viz., sugarcane bagasse (SB), brinjal stem (BS), and citrus peel (CP) for removal of heavy metal ions (Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd) from aqueous solution. The effects of biowaste material, dosage of biochar, solution pH, and initial concentration of heavy metal ions and isotherm models were performed to understand the possible adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that the biochar derived from BS and SB removes Cu (99.94%), Cr (99.57%), and Cd (99.77%) whereas biochar derived from CP removes Pb (99.59%) and Cu (99.90%) more efficiently from the aqueous solution. Biochar derived from BS showed maximum adsorption capacity for Cu (246.31 mg g−1), Pb (183.15 mg g−1), and Cr (71.89 mg g−1) while the biochar derived from CP showed highest for Cd (15.46 mg g−1). Moreover, biochar derived from BS and SB has more polar functional groups and less hydrophobicity than the biochar derived from CP. This study reveals that solution pH and biochar doses play a major role in removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The results of Langmuir model fitted well for Pb and Cu while the Freundlich model for Cr and Cd. Our study concludes that the biochar derived from different biowaste materials adsorbs heavy metal ions majorly through surface complexation and precipitation processes. The results of this study will be very useful in selecting the effective urban biowaste material for making biochar for heavy metal removal from the aqueous environment.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights
-
Sugarcane bagasse, brinjal stem, and citrus peel from metropolitan areas have potential for production of biochar.
-
Biochar derived from SB and BS adsorb more Cu, Cr, and Cd ions.
-
Biochar adsorption performance varies with different pH levels and biowaste materials.
-
Langmuir isotherm model was well fitted for Pb and Cu while Freundlich model for Cr and Cd ions.
-
Biochars mostly adsorb heavy metal ions by surface complexation and precipitation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
The data used for this study are available from the corresponding author and first author on request.
References
Ahmedna M, Clarke SJ, Rao RM, Marshall WE, Johns MM (1997) Use of filtration and buffers in raw sugar color measurements. J Sci Food Agric. 75:109–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)10970010(199709)75:1<109:AIDJSFA849>3.0.CO;2-Y
Al Naggar Y, Dabour K, Masry S, Sadek A, Naiem E, Giesy JP (2020) Sublethal effects of chronic exposure to CdO or PbO nanoparticles or their binary mixture on the honey bee (Apis millefera L.). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 27(16):19004–19015. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3314-2
Allen SE, Grimshaw HM, Parkinson JA, Quarmby C (1974) Chemical analysis of ecological materials. Blackwell Scientific Publications, UK
Anderson A, Anbarasu A, Pasupuleti RR, Sekar M, Praveen kumar TR, Kumar JA (2022) Treatment of heavy metals containing wastewater using biodegradable adsorbents: a review of mechanism and future trends. Chemosphere 295:133724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133724
ASTM, (2007). ASTM.D1762-84 - Standard Test Method for Chemical Analysis of Wood Charcoal. https://doi.org/10.1520/D1762-84R13
Awasthi SK (2000) Prevention of Food Adulteration Act No 37 of 1954. Central and State Rules as Amended for 1999. Ashoka Law House, Delhi
Ayub A, Raza ZA, Majeed MI, Tariq MR, Irfan A (2020) Development of sustainable magnetic chitosan biosorbent beads for kinetic remediation of arsenic contaminated water. Int J Biol Macromol 163:603–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.28
Baldock JA, Smernik RJ (2002) Chemical composition and bioavailability of thermally altered Pinusresinosa (Red pine) wood. Org Geochem 33(9):1093–1109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0146-6380(02)00062-1
Bilal M, Ihsanullah I, Younas M, Shah MUH (2021) Recent advances in applications of low-cost adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from water: a critical review. Sep Purif Technol 278:119510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119510
Çelebi H, Gök G, Gök O (2020) Adsorption capability of brewed tea waste in waters containing toxic lead (II), cadmium (II), nickel (II), and zinc (II) heavy metal ions. Sci Rep 10(1):17570. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74553-4
Central Pollution Control Board (2021) Air quality monitoring, emission inventory and source apportionment study for Indian cities. National summary report: http://cpcb.nic.in/FinalNationalSummary.pdf. Last updated on 06 June 2022
Chakraborty R, Asthana A, Singh AK, Jain B, Susan AB (2022) Adsorption of heavy metal ions by various low-cost adsorbents: a review. J Environ Anal Chem 102(2):342–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2020.1722811
Chan KY, Van ZL, Meszaros I, Downie A, Joseph S (2008) Using poultry litter biochars as soil amendments. Soil Res 46:437–444. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR08036
Chen L, Zhang Y, Zhu P, Zhou F, Zeng W, Lu DD, Sun R, Wong C (2015) Copper salts mediated morphological transformation of Cu2O from cubes to hierarchical flower-like or microspheres and their supercapacitors performances. Sci Rep 5:9672. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep09672
Chen X, Hossain MF, Duan C, Lu J, Tsang YF, Islam MS, Zhou Y (2022) Isotherm models for adsorption of heavy metals from water - a review. Chemosphere 307(Pt 1):135545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135545
Chen Yi-di, Lin YC, Ho SH, Zhou Y, Ren NQ (2018) Highly efficient adsorption of dyes by biochar derived from pigments-extracted macroalgae pyrolyzed at different temperature. Bioresour Technol 259:104–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.094
Das SK, Ghosh GK, Avasthe R (2021) Conversion of crop, weed and tree biomass into biochar for heavy metal removal and wastewater treatment. Biomass Convers Biorefin 11:1–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01334-y
Desta MB (2013) Batch sorption experiments: langmuir and freundlich isotherm studies for the adsorption of textile metal ions onto Teff Straw (Eragrostis tef) agricultural waste. J thermodyn https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/375830
Domingues RR, Trugilho PF, Silva CA, Melo ICND, Melo LC, Magriotis ZM, Sanchez-Monedero MA (2017) Properties of biochar derived from wood and high-nutrient biomasses with the aim of agronomic and environmental benefits. PloS One 12:e0176884. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176884
Duan C, Ma T, Wang J, Zhou Y (2020) Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution using carbon-based adsorbents: a review. J Water Process Eng 37:101339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101339
Enders A, Hanley K, Whitman T, Joseph S, Lehmann J (2012) Characterization of biochars to evaluate recalcitrance and agronomic performance. Bioresour Technol 114:644–653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2012.03.022
Erdem H (2021) The effects of biochars produced in different pyrolysis temperatures from agricultural wastes on cadmium uptake of tobacco plant. Saudi J Biol Sci 28(7):3965–3971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.04.016
European Union (2002) Heavy Metals in Wastes. European Commission on Environment. http://www.ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/pdf/heavymetalsreport.pdf
Fei Y, Hu YH (2022) Design, synthesis, and performance of adsorbents for heavy metal removal from wastewater: a review. J Mater Chem A 10:1047–1085. https://doi.org/10.1039/d1ta06612a
Godwin PM, Pan Y, Xiao H, Afzal MT (2019) Progress in preparation and application of modified biochar for improving heavy metal ion removal from wastewater. J Bioresour Bioprod 4(1):31–42. https://doi.org/10.21967/jbb.v4i1.180
Hassan, M, Khatib JM, Mangat PS, Naseer A, Gardiner PH (2013) FTIR and XRD characterized portland cement stabilised lead contaminated soil. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Environmental, Chemistry and Biology, Singapore. p 24–25. https://doi.org/10.7763/IPCBEE.2013.V59.20
Hussain S, Abid MA, Munawar KS, Saddiqa A, Iqbal M, Suleman M, Hussain M, Riaz M, Ahmad T, Abbas A, Rehman M (2021) Choice of suitable economic adsorbents for the reduction of heavy metal pollution load. Pol J Environ Stud 30(3). https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/125016
Inyang MI, Gao B, Yao Y, Xue Y, Zimmerman A, Mosa A, Pullammanappallil P, Ok YS, Cao X (2016) A review of biochar as a low-cost adsorbent for aqueous heavy metal removal. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 46(4):406–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2015.1096880
Jia Y, Shi S, Liu J, Su S, Liang Q, Zeng X, Li T (2018) Study of the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the Cd2+ adsorption characteristics of biochar. Appl Sci 8(7):1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/app8071019
Kilic M, Kirbiyik C, Çepelioğullar Ö, Pütün AE (2013) Adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions by bio-char, a by product of pyrolysis. Appl Surf Sci 283:856–862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.07.033
Kloss S, Zehetner F, Dellantonio A, Hamid R, Ottner F, Liedtke V, Soja G (2012) Characterization of slow pyrolysis biochars: effects of feedstocks and pyrolysis temperature on biochar properties. J Environ Qual 41:990–1000. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2011.0070
Kumari S, Mishra A (2021) Heavy metal contamination. In: Soil contamination-threats and sustainable solutions. IntechOpen, Open, London, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.5772/INTECHOPEN.93412
Li H, Dong X, da Silva EB, de Oliveira LM, Chen Y, Ma LQ (2017) Mechanisms of metal sorption by biochars: Biochar characteristics and modifications. Chemosphere 178:466–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.072
Li Y, Ye Z, Yu Y, Li Y, Jiang J, Wang L, Wang G, Zhang H, Li N, Xie X, Cheng X (2023) A combined method for human health risk area identification of heavy metals in urban environments. J Hazard Mater 449:131067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131067
Liu B, Kim KH, Kumar V, Kim S (2020) A review of functional sorbents for adsorptive removal of arsenic ions in aqueous systems. J Hazard Mater 388:121815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121815
Mahesh N, Balakumar S, Shyamalagowri S, Manjunathan J, Pavithra MKS, Babu PS, Kamaraj M, Govarthanan M (2022) Carbon-based adsorbents as proficient tools for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution: a state of art-review emphasizing recent progress and prospects. Environ Res 213:113723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113723
Mary GS, Sugumaran P, Niveditha S, Ramalakshmi B, Ravichandran P, Seshadri S (2016) Production, characterization, and evaluation of biochar from pod (Pisumsativum), leaf (Brassica oleracea) and peel (Citrus sinensis) wastes. Int J Recycl Org Waste Agric 5:43–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40093-016-0116-8
Mei Y, Li B, Fan S (2020) Biochar from rice straw for Cu2+ removal from aqueous solutions: mechanism and contribution made by acid-soluble minerals. Water Air Soil Pollut 231(8):1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04791-9
Mishra S, Bharagava, RN, More N, Yadav A, Zainith S, Mani S, Chowdhary P (2019). Heavy metal contamination: an alarming threat to environment and human health. In Environmental biotechnology: for sustainable future. Springer, Singapore. p 103–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7284-0_5
Misran E, Bani O, Situmeang EM, Purba AS (2022) Banana stem based activated carbon as a low-cost adsorbent for methylene blue removal: Isotherm, kinetics, and reusability. Alex Eng J 61(3):1946–1955. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2021.07.022
Mitchell PJ, Dalley TS, Helleur RJ (2013) Preliminary laboratory production and characterization of biochars from lignocellulosic municipal waste. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 99:71–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2012.10.025
Mo Z, Shi Q, Zeng H, Lu Z, Bi J, Zhang H, Rinklebe J, Lima EC, Rashid A, Shahab A (2021) Efficient removal of Cd (II) from aqueous environment by potassium permanganate-modified eucalyptus biochar. Biomass Conver Biorefin 16:1–3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-02079-4
Mohan D, Abhishek K, Sarswat A, Patel M, Singh P, Pittman CU (2018) Biochar production and applications in soil fertility and carbon sequestration–a sustainable solution to crop-residue burning in India. RSC adv 8(1):508–520. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7ra10353k
Moyo M, Nyamhere G, Sebata E, Guyo U (2016) Kinetic and equilibrium modelling of lead sorption from aqueous solution by activated carbon from goat dung. Desalination Water Treat 57(2):765–775. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.968217
Ozcimen D, Ersoy-Meriçboyu (2010) Characterization of biochar and bio-oil samples obtained from carbonization of various biomass materials. Renew Energy 35:1319–1324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2009.11.042
Pawar RR, Bajaj HC, Lee SM (2016) Activated bentonite as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions: Batch and column studies. J Ind Eng Chem 34:213–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2015.11.014
Phuruangrat A, Kuntalue B, Artkla S, Promnopas S, Promnopas W, Thongtem S, Thongtem T (2016) Effect of lead salts on phase, morphologies, and photoluminescence of nano crystalline PbMoO and PbWO synthesized by microwave radiation. Mater Sci Poland 34(3):529–533. https://doi.org/10.1515/msp-2016-0087
Pradhan S, Abdelaal AH, Mroue K, Al-Ansari T, Mackey HR, McKay G (2020) Biochar from vegetable wastes: agro-environmental characterization. Biochar 2(4):439–453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-020-00069-9
Prakash T, Arun kumar T, Raj DS, Jaya prakash R (2013) Surfactant-liaised variation in CdO nanocomposites morphology. Phys Procedia 49:36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phpro.2013.10.008
Qasem NA, Mohammed RH, Lawal DU (2021) Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater: A comprehensive and critical review. Npj Clean Water 4(1):36. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-021-00127-0
Rahman HL, Erdem H, Sahin M, Erdem M (2020) Iron-incorporated activated carbon synthesis from biomass mixture for enhanced arsenic adsorption. Water Air Soil Pollut 231(1):1–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-019-4378-4
Rameshk M, Soltanieh M, Masoudpanah SM (2020) Effects of flow velocity and impact angle on erosion-corrosion of an API-5 L X65 steel coated by plasma nitriding of hard chromium underlayer. J Mater Res Technol 9(5):10054–10061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.07.013
Ray A, Banerjee A, Dubey A (2020) Characterization of biochars from various agricultural by-products using FTIR spectroscopy, SEM focused with image processing. IJAEB 13(4):423–430. https://doi.org/10.30954/0974-1712.04.2020.6
RoyChowdhury A, Sarkar D, Datta R (2019) Removal of acidity and metals from acid mine drainage-impacted water using industrial byproducts. Environ Manage 63:148–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-018-1112-8
Sanka PM, Rwiza MJ, Mtei KM, (2020). Removal of selected heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater using rice and corn husk biochar. Water Air Soil Pollut 231–244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-04624-9
Singh E, Kumar A, Mishra R, You S, Singh L, Kumar S, Kumar R (2021) Pyrolysis of waste biomass and plastics for production of biochar and its use for removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution. Bioresour Technol 320:124278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124278
Srivastava V, Weng CH, Singh VK, Sharma YC (2011) Adsorption of nickel ions from aqueous solutions by nano alumina: kinetic, mass transfer, and equilibrium studies. J Chem Eng Data 56(4):1414–1422. https://doi.org/10.1021/je101152b
Tharaneedhar V, Kumar PS, Saravanan A, Ravi kumar C, Jai kumar V (2017) Prediction and interpretation of adsorption parameters for the sequestration of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution using microwave assisted corncob activated carbon. SM&T 11:1–1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2016.11.001
Usman A, Sallam A, Zhang M, Vithanage M, Ahmad M, Al-Farraj A, Ok YS, Abduljabbar A, Al-Wabel M (2016) Sorption process of date palm biochar for aqueous Cd (II) removal: efficiency and mechanisms. Water Air Soil Pollut 227:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-3161-z
Wang J, Guo X (2020) Adsorption isotherm models: classification, physical meaning, application and solving method. Chemosphere 258:127279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127279
Wang Q, Wang B, Ma Y, Zhang X, Lyu W, Chen M (2022) Stabilization of heavy metals in biochar derived from plants in antimony mining area and its environmental implications. Environ Pollut 300:118902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118902
Waqas M, Asam Z, Rehan M, Anwar MN, Khattak RA, Ismail IMI, Tabatabaei M, Nizami AS (2021) Development of biomass-derived biochar for agronomic and environmental remediation applications. Biomass Convers. Biorefin 11:339–361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-020-00936-2
Yildirim A, Bulut Y (2020) Adsorption behaviors of malachite green by using crosslinked chitosan/polyacrylic acid/bentonite composites with different ratios. Environ Technol Innov 17:100560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2019.100560
Yuan JH, Xu RK, Zhang H (2011) The forms of alkalis in the biochar produced from crop residues at different temperatures. Bioresour Technol 102:3488–3497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.11.018
Zhang G, Zhang Q, Sun K, Liu X, Zheng W, Zhao Y (2011) Sorption of simazine to corn straw biochars prepared at different pyrolytic temperatures. Environ Pollut 159(10):2594–2601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.06.012
Zhao J, Shen XJ, Domene X, Alcañiz JM, Liao X, Palet C (2019) Comparison of biochars derived from different types of feedstocks and their potential for heavy metal removal in multiple-metal solutions. Sci. Rep 9(1):1–2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46234-4
Zhao SX, Ta N, Wang XD (2017) Effect of temperature on the structural and physicochemical properties of biochar with apple tree branches as feedstock material. Energies 10(9):1293. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10091293
Zhou Y, Gao B, Zimmerman AR, Chen H, Zhang M, Cao X (2014) Biochar-supported zerovalent iron for removal of various contaminants from aqueous solutions. Bioresour Technol 152:538–542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.11.021
Acknowledgements
HC acknowledges the financial support from University Grants Commission (UGC), India. Support of University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC), University of Delhi for providing instrumentation facilities is duly acknowledged. Financial support from University of Delhi under Institution of Excellence programme is duly acknowledged.
Author Contributions
HC conceptualized and contributed to the preliminary concept of the study under the supervision of Prof. K.S Rao and Dr. J. Dinakaran. HC collected the primary data and completed all investigations and formal analysis. TN and KV gave lab support while investigating. HC drafted the first version and JD supported in all necessary revisions and editing in the manuscript. KSR gave intellectual input to the manuscript revising it critically. Finally, all the authors approved this final version.
Funding
This work was supported by University Grants Commission (UGC) and University of Delhi under Institution of Excellence programme (IoE/2021/12/FRP).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Supplementary Information
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Chaudhary, H., Dinakaran, J., Notup, T. et al. Comparison of Adsorption Performance of Biochar Derived from Urban Biowaste Materials for Removal of Heavy Metals. Environmental Management 73, 408–424 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01866-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-023-01866-1