Chapter 21 - Biochar for pollutants bioremediation from soil and water ecosystem

Abstract

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are chemical compounds that have potentially hazardous effects, but risks associated with their exposure have not been fully explored and are not yet subject to regulation. The fact that these ECs pollute both soil and water has recently raised significant concerns. Human and natural factors together make up the main sources of soil contamination. ECs are difficult to remove from soil and the aqueous system since they are retained in the environment for a very long period. Several techniques, including biodegradation, photocatalytic degradation, nanofiltration, membrane bioreactors, separation, enhanced chemical oxidation, and others, have been developed to remove ECs from the environment. One of the well-known innovations for tackling the issue of ECs is the application of in-situ biochar. Biochar application can significantly reduce the bioavailability of ECs that accumulate in soil and/or aqueous systems. It also has the added advantage of soil fertilization and climate change mitigation. In this chapter, emphasis has been given to the use of biochar for the remediation of ECs from the soil and aqueous system and factors affecting the efficiency of biochar as a bioremediation technique.