Researchers from TerrAffix and Kier have made a significant breakthrough in removing microplastics from road water runoff using biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More. Conducted at Swansea University, the laboratory trials showed that biochar, produced through 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 of organic materials, effectively eliminated microplastics from road runoff. This groundbreaking study is the first of its kind globally.

Matt Tompsett from Kier Transportation highlights the severe impact of microplastics generated by highways and emphasized the importance of scalable solutions for highway drainage systems. The laboratory results were promising, with no detectable traces of microplastics after filtration through biochar. Tompsett noted that while the effectiveness of biochar in these controlled settings is proven, the next step is to test its long-term viability in real-world conditions, starting with a trial on the A417 project.

TerrAffix’s Siôn Brackenbury explains that road runoff contains various contaminants, including heavy metals and microplastics, which originate from sources such as tire wear and certain road materials. These microplastics often wash into waterways during storms, posing significant environmental and health risks by entering the food chain.

In the trials, a solution simulating highway runoff was filtered through columns containing different ratios of filter stone and biochar. Over two weeks, the solution, mimicking Southeast England’s heaviest precipitation, was filtered through these columns. The results showed that even the lowest biochar/filter stone mix successfully removed all microplastics, demonstrating biochar’s potential as an effective solution for mitigating microplastic pollution from road runoff.

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