Evaluation of the use of biochar to stabilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates in sediment

Abstract

Three types of biochar (BC) (mulberry biochar (MB), wheat straw biochar, and pine tree sawdust biochar) were prepared and used to stabilize hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) in contaminated sediment. The kinetics of HOC adsorption to the BCs had two distinct stages. The second stage adsorption process was longer for MB than the other BCs, presumably because MB contained large pores, mesopores, and micropores. The adsorption isotherms for the three BCs were described well by the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities of MB, WS and PT for HOCs ranged between 106.7 and 1202 μg/g, 135.1 and 1002 μg/g, and 255.6 and 909 μg/g, respectively. The apparent HOC adsorption coefficients (KBC−w) for the three BCs were determined from the isotherm data and were similar. The HOC logKOW values correlated well with the logKBC−w values. In sediment slurry experiments, HOCs were much more effectively stabilized by MB than wheat straw and pine tree sawdust biochar. This was probably because of the MB pore characteristics that favored adsorption of HOCs of various molecular sizes. The Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectra indicated that the main binding mechanisms were hydrogen boding, hydrophobic interactions, and π–π interactions. MB was found to be a possible agent for stabilizing HOCs in contaminated sediment. HOCs in sediment slurry continued to become adsorbed to MB for a long time, indicating that relatively long reaction times should be allowed for in situ remediation using MB.