Reclaiming phosphate from aqueous solution using biochar derived from anaerobically digested waste activated sludge and its potential as phosphate fertilizer

Abstract

ABSTRACT A novel strategy for reclamation and reuse of phosphate from aqueous solution was developed using Mg-enriched biochar prepared from anaerobically digested sludge (ADBC). The ADBC pyrolyzed at 600°C (ADBC-600) exhibited the maximum phosphate removal capacity of 23.2 mg/g, which was much higher than that of raw sludge biocha (10.1 mg/g). Adsorption kinetic and isotherm experiments showed that the adsorption of phosphate on ADBC-600 could be well described by the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption was mainly dominated by chemisorption process. The postsorption characterization results suggested that Mg-induced precipitation was likely the main P adsorption mechanism by ADBC. Moreover, the spent biochar was re-utilized as an efficient phosphate fertilizer for improving wheat seed germination and growth. Provided a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for sludge treatment and phosphate recovery in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and potential agronomic application.