The rapid growth of animal husbandry has led to widespread use of estrogen to promote animal growth and treat diseases. Unfortunately, a significant portion of these estrogens, including 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), is excreted by animals and ends up in the environment, posing serious risks to human health and ecosystems due to its high toxicity, even at very low concentrations. Conventional treatment methods often fall short in effectively removing these pollutants from water.

A recent study published in the Journal of Molecular Liquids explores a promising new method to tackle this problem using cow manure biochar (CBC) to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of 17β-E2. The researchers successfully achieved over 90% degradation of 17β-E2 within just 10 minutes under optimal conditions. They identified that the key reactive oxygen species involved in the degradation process were O2– and 1O2. Additionally, they used density functional theory (DFT) to predict the susceptible reaction sites on 17β-E2.

The study highlights the benefits of using CBC, a carbon-based material known for its chemical stability, large surface area, and cost-effectiveness. The production of CBC not only immobilizes pollutants from cow dung through high-temperature 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 but also converts the waste into a useful material for water treatment. This approach presents a dual benefit of managing waste from livestock while addressing environmental pollution. The findings suggest significant potential for the practical application of CBC in environmental remediation, providing an innovative and sustainable solution to the challenge of estrogen pollution.