Microalgae-biochar hybrids show significant potential for improving antibiotic removal from wastewater, specifically targeting sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a common pollutant in aquaculture. In a recent study, researchers developed chitosan-coated, magnetic 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 (CTS@FeBC) from peanut shells, which was combined with Chlorella pyrenoidosa microalgae to create a hybrid system. This system enhanced both SMX removal and microalgal lipid production, offering a more effective solution compared to using microalgae or biochar alone.

The hybrid mechanism operates through both adsorption and biodegradation processes, achieving a 45.7% SMX removal rate—higher than either biochar (20.0%) or microalgae alone (34.4%). Furthermore, the hybrid system boosted microalgal lipid production, a valuable byproduct for biofuel, from 10.1 mg/L to 11.6 mg/L. The study also highlighted the easy recovery of the hybrid material from wastewater through the use of a magnetic field, reaching a harvest efficiency of 86.3%.

This approach addresses two persistent challenges: the removal of antibiotic contaminants and the efficient harvesting of microalgae. The modified biochar not only mitigates the toxic effects of SMX on the algae but also enhances the overall system’s efficiency. These findings underscore the potential for microalgae-biochar hybrids to play a critical role in sustainable wastewater treatment, offering a pathway for higher pollutant removal and valuable 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 recovery.