Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water: Sorption By Biochar.

Adsorption processes play an integral role in water treatment and the removal of contaminants. Activated carbon (AC) is an effective and widely used sorbent; however, there has been growing interest in the use of another black carbon - biochar. Biochar has been reported to bind various heavy metals, herbicides, and organic pollutants, making it a potential sorbent for organic contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). This study compares the sorption potential of four different biochars prepared from wood, crop residue, coconut coir, and manure feedstocks to commercial filter media containing AC. Batch equilibration methods were used to assess the capacity of the biochars and AC to adsorb chemicals from three classes of CECs: (1) pharmaceuticals and personal care products, (2) pesticides, and (3) flame retardants, focusing on biochar properties influencing its remedial capacity. Future work will seek to optimize biochar's sorption capacity for contaminants, particularly those inadequately removed by AC.