Biochar and Activated Carbon: Sustainable Solutions for Antibiotic Removal from Pharmaceutical Wastewater

A systematic review explores biochar and activated carbon derived from biomass as sustainable adsorbents for removing antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater. It highlights optimization methods like Response Surface Methodology and examines economic feasibility, offering eco-friendly solutions to antibiotic contamination in water sources.

September 30, 2024

1–2 minutes

Zango, et al (2024) A systematic review on applications of 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 and 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 derived from biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More as adsorbents for sustainable remediation of antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106186

A recent systematic review, published in the Journal of Water Process Engineering (November 2024), investigates the use of biochar and activated carbon (AC) derived from biomass as adsorbents for removing antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater. Antibiotics present in wastewater pose a significant threat to both the environment and public health, as they can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ecosystem disruption.

The review highlights the effectiveness of biochar and AC in adsorbing antibiotics due to their high surface area, porosityPorosity of biochar is a key factor in its effectiveness as a soil amendment and its ability to retain water and nutrients. Biochar’s porosity is influenced by feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature, and it plays a crucial role in microbial activity and overall soil health. Biochar More, and low cost. It analyzes different optimization methods for the adsorption process, including the One-Factor-At-A-Time (OFAT) method and the more comprehensive Design of Experiment (DoE) approach, which uses Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Taguchi methods. DoE with RSM is favored for its precision and efficiency in enhancing adsorption processes.

Key factors influencing the adsorption mechanisms include the properties of the biochar or AC, the type of antibiotics, and environmental conditions. The economic feasibility of using these materials is also examined, revealing that they are more cost-effective than conventional wastewater treatment methods.

This review provides valuable insights into the potential of biochar and AC for sustainable wastewater treatment, offering a promising solution to the global issue of antibiotic contamination in water sources.