Enhanced Textile Wastewater Remediation Using Biochar in Constructed Wetlands

This study explores the use of Phragmites karka-derived biochar in vertical flow constructed wetlands for textile wastewater treatment. Biochar significantly improved pollutant removal, reducing COD by 83.61% and color by 77.87%, offering a sustainable, low-cost solution for industrial wastewater management and environmental protection.

October 21, 2024

1–2 minutes

Sharma & Malaviya (2024)
Enhanced textile wastewater remediation in *Phragmites karka*-based vertical flow constructed wetlands using *Phragmites*-derived 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. *Chemosphere.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143529

A recent study in Chemosphere explores a novel approach for improving textile wastewater treatment using biochar derived from Phragmites karka, a wetland plant. Researchers designed vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) to assess how biochar impacts the removal of pollutants. They tested three different setups: one without vegetation, one vegetated with P. karka, and one with P. karka plus biochar.

The results were promising. The biochar-amended wetland (VFCW-BP) showed higher pollutant removal rates compared to the other setups, reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 83.61%, color by 77.87%, and other pollutants like chloride, calcium, sodium, and potassium by over 65%. The biochar improved plant growth by reducing osmotic and oxidative stress, which contributed to better pollutant uptake.

This study suggests that biochar derived from wetland plants can enhance phytoremediationThis is a technique that uses plants to clean up contaminated soil or water. Biochar can enhance phytoremediation by improving soil conditions and promoting plant growth, allowing plants to absorb and break down pollutants more effectively. More performance in VFCWs, offering a low-cost, sustainable solution for treating industrial wastewater. The biochar-amended wetlands also promote a circular economy, using plant waste to improve the treatment system.

This innovative approach not only improves the efficiency of constructed wetlands but also addresses environmental sustainability by repurposing plant material. As textile industries seek greener wastewater treatment methods, biochar-enhanced wetlands could offer a viable, eco-friendly solution.