Miscanthus x giganteus Biochar: Effective Adsorption of Pharmaceuticals from Wastewater

A study in the Journal of Cleaner Production shows that biochar made from Miscanthus x giganteus effectively adsorbs pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Pyrolyzed at 360°C and 500°C, the biochar achieved significant removal rates, making it a promising solution for wastewater treatment and environmental protection.

June 3, 2024

1–2 minutes

Burdová, et al (2024) *Miscanthus x giganteus*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: Effective adsorption of pharmaceuticals from model solution and hospital wastewater. *Journal of Cleaner Production.* https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142545

A recent study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production investigates the use of biochar derived from Miscanthus x giganteus for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater. Miscanthus x giganteus, a bioenergy crop, was chosen due to its capacity for 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, which involves using plants to clean contaminated soils.

Researchers, including Hana Burdová and her team, produced biochar by pyrolyzing Miscanthus 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 at 360°C (M-3) and 500°C (M-5). They examined the biochars’ ability to adsorb pharmaceuticals such as atenolol (AT), 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in both model solutions and real hospital wastewater.

The study found that the M-3 biochar removed over 90% of EE2, 70% of AT, and 30% of SMX in model solutions. In real hospital wastewater, the biochar achieved high removal rates, including 100% for venlafaxine and 86% for diclofenac. The results indicate that the lower temperature biochar (M-3) had better adsorption properties compared to the higher temperature biochar (M-5).

The effectiveness of the biochar was influenced by its physicochemical properties, with the M-3 biochar showing a higher representation of functional groups despite its lower surface area. This study suggests that Miscanthus x giganteus biochar could be a viable option for removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater, contributing to more effective water treatment processes.

These findings offer a practical solution for reducing pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater, highlighting the importance of biochar properties and production conditions in optimizing adsorption efficiency.