Abstract
Nano-black carbon (BC) is one of the most active fractions in the pyrogenic carbonaceous matter continuum. The majority of recent studies mainly focus on the role of nano-BC in the global carbon cycle. However, based on literature and our recent studies, we suggest that nano-BC may also serve as a super suspending agent, carrier, and redox mediator for sorbates during its migration from terrestrial to water bodies due to its unique properties such as high colloidal stability, strong sorption capacity, and high surface reactivity. The full implications of nano-BC in water/soil environments are far more than we expected. Thus, we call for more detailed investigations on the activity and reactivity of nano-BC in water/soil environments.
Highlights
Pyrogenic carbonaceous matter (PCM) such as charcoal, soot, and biochar is generally produced by incomplete combustion of fresh and/or fossilized biomass, which is a significant fraction of natural organic matter (NOM) and ubiquitous in water/soil environments
The environmental functions of biochar are based on the assumption that it represents one of the most inert natural organic C pools and can be stored in soils/sediments at centurial or millennial time scales
We suggest that nano-black carbon (BC) is a soil C pool but a super suspending agent, greatly altering the transport and behavior of elements, chemicals, and soil components in water/soil environments
Summary
Pyrogenic carbonaceous matter (PCM) such as charcoal, soot, and biochar is generally produced by incomplete combustion of fresh and/or fossilized biomass, which is a significant fraction of natural organic matter (NOM) and ubiquitous in water/soil environments. 1 Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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