The study explores the remediation of copper (Cu), a significant environmental and health hazard originating from industrial and mining activities, utilizing biochar coupled with Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) monitoring. Biochar, recognized for its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, proves to be an efficient material for Cu adsorption, primarily through mechanisms of cation exchange at lower concentrations and surface complexation at higher concentrations. The research employs SIP to monitor these processes, showcasing its potential in real-time observation of copper retention, changes in pore size, and distribution within the biochar.

SIP’s ability to provide insight into the migration of copper ions into smaller pores, driven by concentration gradients, is particularly highlighted, offering a novel perspective on the dynamic evolution of copper adsorption. The study underscores a significant linear correlation between normalized chargeability from SIP measurements and copper retention, validating SIP as a valuable tool for monitoring and understanding the complex processes involved in copper remediation.

Furthermore, the research compares biochar with activated carbonActivated carbon is a form of carbon that has been processed to create a vast network of tiny pores, increasing its surface area significantly. This extensive surface area makes activated carbon exceptionally effective at trapping and holding impurities, like a molecular sponge. It is commonly More, establishing biochar’s superior performance in copper adsorption due to its high capacity, cost-effectiveness, and the significant advantage of being monitored effectively by SIP technology. This comparison underlines biochar’s potential as an ideal material for copper remediation efforts.

This comprehensive study not only contributes valuable insights into the mechanisms of copper adsorption by biochar but also showcases the innovative application of SIP technology in monitoring and optimizing the remediation process. It opens new avenues for enhancing environmental safety measures against heavy metal contamination, offering promising prospects for future research and applications in the field of environmental engineering and sustainability.