In a systematic analysis published in the journal ACS Sustainable Resource Management, authors Ebuka Chizitere Emenike, Harvis Bamidele Saka, Joy Adetooke Adeleke, Victor Aderibigbe, Joy Chinaza Olatunbosun, Kingsley O. Iwuozor, Marcellinus Ogudo, and Adewale George Adeniyi evaluated processing methodologies, structural properties, and cross-sector field applications for animal manure-derived biochar. The team highlighted a stark global reality where the intensification of livestock operations yields over 55 billion tons of raw manure annually, driving massive releases of methane, nitrous oxide, and mobile pathogens into regional land and water systems. By applying controlled thermochemical conversion techniques like slow pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More and hydrothermal carbonization, this agricultural liability can be successfully transformed into high-value engineered assets. The manuscript details how these specialized carbon structures address global sustainability objectives by outperforming standard plant-based biochars across several critical environmental criteria.

The core structural evaluations demonstrate that animal manure-derived biochar contains distinct physicochemical properties directly tied to the original animal diets. The material exhibits a higher ashAsh is the non-combustible inorganic residue that remains after organic matter, like wood or biomass, is completely burned. It consists mainly of minerals and is different from biochar, which is produced through incomplete combustion.   Ash Ash is the residue that remains after the complete More content, elevated alkalinity, and a much richer concentration of essential nutrients—including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—than standard forestry or crop residues. While low pyrolysis temperatures preserve highly volatile compounds and polar functional groups, raising the thermal thresholds shifts the internal matrix toward a highly condensed, stable aromatic configuration. Although high native mineral levels can occasionally clog fine pores and lower the overall specific surface area, targeted post-treatment options like acid washing or hydrogen peroxide activation easily clear these blockages. This tailored tuning increases the functional surface area up to 17 times, creating active molecular sites that maximize contaminant attraction.

The multi-sector outcomes of employing these engineered materials are visible across distinct water and soil purification pathways. In aqueous environments, the biochar targets heavy metals through a combination of cation exchange, surface complexation, and mineral precipitation, locking away toxic elements like lead, cadmium, and copper. It functions as a highly competent sponge for persistent organic contaminants, removing problematic pharmaceuticals, toxic industrial dyes, and agricultural pesticides via strong electron interactions and pore filling. Furthermore, when applied as a soil amendmentA soil amendment is any material added to the soil to enhance its physical or chemical properties, improving its suitability for plant growth. Biochar is considered a soil amendment as it can improve soil structure, water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity.   More, the nutrient-rich matrix operates as a reliable slow-release fertilizer that boosts crop yields over multiple growing seasons, while simultaneously serving as a durable carbon sink that significantly lowers agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond direct remediation, the review captures excellent performance fields for the biochar as both an active composting additive and a robust catalyst support medium. When mixed into standard compost piles, the porous carbon network creates safe microhabitats for beneficial bacteria, speeding up organic matter breakdown, preserving nitrogen, and trapping volatile odor components. In green energy fields, its high mineral basicity drives the efficient chemical transformation of waste cooking oils into high-grade biodiesel. Concurrently, loading the carbon architecture with transition metals sets up stable advanced oxidation systems that break down complex industrial contaminants without causing secondary pollution.

However, the authors stress that large-scale field deployment requires careful management due to inherent raw material contaminants. Trace element additives from animal feed inevitably concentrate within the resulting char, meaning that unoptimized low-temperature processing poses a real risk of heavy metal leachingLeaching is the process where nutrients are dissolved and carried away from the soil by water. This can lead to nutrient depletion and environmental pollution. Biochar can help reduce leaching by improving nutrient retention in the soil.   More or electrical conductivity imbalances that could induce secondary soil salinization. Additionally, the persistence of antibiotic resistance genes requires strict operational control, as high-temperature processing is necessary to reliably deactivate dangerous plasmid networks. Ultimately, the investigators conclude that by standardizing feedstockFeedstock refers to the raw organic material used to produce biochar. This can include a wide range of materials, such as wood chips, agricultural residues, and animal manure. More pretreatments and carefully managing the thermal processing parameters, developers can safely utilize animal manure-derived biochar to bridge the gap between waste management liabilities and high-value circular economic solutions.

Source: Emenike, E. C., Saka, H. B., Adeleke, J. A., Aderibigbe, V., Olatunbosun, J. C., Iwuozor, K. O., Ogudo, M., & Adeniyi, A. G. (2026). Preparations, modifications, properties, and environmental applications of animal manure-derived biochar: A review. ACS Sustainable Resource Management, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXX.