A systematic review on enhancement strategies in biochar-based remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pervasive ecological pollutants produced essentially during the inadequate burning of organic materials. PAHs are a group of different organic compounds that are made out of various aromatic rings. PAHs pose a serious risk to humans and aquatic ecosystems because of their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In this way, there is a critical prerequisite to utilizing successful remediation strategies and methods to limit the dangerous effect of these pollutants on the ecosystem. Biochar has believed of intriguing properties such as simple manufacturing operations and more affordable and more productive materials. Biochar is a sustainable carbonaceous material that has an enormous surface area with bountiful functional groups and pore structure, which has huge potential for the remediation of toxic pollutants. This review emphasizes the occurrence, development, and fate of toxic PAHs in the environment. In the present review, the properties and role of biochar in the removal of PAHs were illustrated, and the influencing factors and an efficient key mechanism of biochar for the remediation of PAHs were discussed in detail. Various surface modification methods can be utilized to improve the biochar properties with the magnetization process; the advancements of modified biochar are pointed out in this review. Finally, the constraints and prospects for the large-scale application of biochar in the remediation of toxic pollutants are highlighted.