Article
Environmental Sciences
Ren-Yong Shi, Ni Ni, Ru-Hai Wang, Jackson Nkoh Nkoh, Xiao-Ying Pan, Ge Dong, Ren-Kou Xu, Xiu-Min Cui, Jiu-Yu Li
Summary: Biochar can inhibit soil acidification by reducing the H+ input from nitrification and improving soil pH buffering capacity. However, the roles of different components of biochar in inhibiting soil acidification induced by nitrification are still unclear.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Yang, Yuchen Chen, Yuandong Huang, Xinde Cao, Ling Zhao, Hao Qiu, Xiaoyun Xu
Summary: The presence of bentonite can enhance the immobilization effect of biochar on lead by altering the pH and promoting the formation of more stable compounds. The interaction between soluble biochar and bentonite can also significantly accelerate the removal rate of lead.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yuke Liu, Shuichang Zhang, Caineng Zou, Xiaomei Wang, Igor Sokolov, Jin Su, Huajian Wang, Kun He
Summary: The study quantitatively investigated the interaction strength between kaolinite and different oil fractions using atomic force microscopy, revealing large hysteresis in the kaolinite-oil interaction curves due to adhesion behavior caused by a meniscus formed at the contact area. Adhesion force and work were found to increase from nonpolar to polar organics in order of saturates, aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes, with aromatic C--C and carboxy (-COOH) groups contributing significantly to the strong adhesion between polar oil fractions and clay surface.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fan Yang, Zibo Xu, Yuandong Huang, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Yong Sik Ok, Ling Zhao, Hao Qiu, Xiaoyun Xu, Xinde Cao
Summary: This study investigated the effects of soil minerals on the release of dissolvable biochar from biochar particles, with bentonite and goethite selected as model minerals. It was found that the presence of soil minerals and Ca2+ reduced the release of dissolvable biochar and enhanced its stability, reducing both chemical oxidation and biodegradation extents. The interactions between soil minerals and dissolvable biochar play a crucial role in the long-term carbon sequestration capability of biochar.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinlei Liu, Juan Ma, Rong Ji, Songfeng Wang, Qiurong Zhang, Chengdong Zhang, Sijin Liu, Wei Chen
Summary: Biochar fine particles enhance the intracellular transfer of mutagenic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzo(a)pyrene, into macrophages via the Trojan-horse mechanism. These particles also serve as a reservoir that continuously releases toxic substances into lung fluids, affecting neighboring cells like lung epithelial cells. The cytotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene carried by biochar fine particles can be predicted based on its bioaccessibility in lung liquids.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Amy M. McKenna, Martha L. Chacon-Patino, Huan Chen, Gregory T. Blakney, Frederic Mentink-Vigier, Robert B. Young, James A. Ippolito, Thomas Borch
Summary: Biochar is a low-density carbon-rich material derived from organic materials pyrolyzed under low or no oxygen conditions. This study uses advanced analytical techniques to provide bulk and molecular characterization of Kentucky bluegrass biochar, which can be applied to any biomass or biochar sample. Through various methods, the study identifies biochar species that share compositional similarities with coal, heavy oil asphaltenes, and coal tar.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ming-Hsi Lee, Ed-Haun Chang, Chia-Hsing Lee, Jyun-Yuan Chen, Shih-Hao Jien
Summary: The study on the effects of rice husk biochar and cattle manure compost on a sandy loam rural soil in southern Taiwan showed that both amendments promoted soil aggregation and enriched soil organic carbon. The addition of compost further enhanced organic carbon enrichment in microaggregates and mesoaggregates, suggesting their potential role in enhancing carbon sequestration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lin Shi, Di Zhang, Jinfeng Zhao, Jianliang Xue, Mengnan Yin, Aiping Liang, Bo Pan
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption kinetics of gallic acid (GA) and tannic acid (TA) on different minerals, revealing that adsorption rates are related to mineral types, specific surface area, and organic molecule size. The adsorption process is diffusion-dependent, with limited influence on TA adsorption kinetics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yakui Li, Dongshuang Hou, Xiaoyu Ding, Xingjian Kang, Qinfu Liu
Summary: This study investigates the influence of raw mineral on the preparation of intercalation compounds and kaolinite nanotubes by selecting different types of coal-measure kaolinite. The results show that the intercalation effects vary significantly among the selected kaolinite samples, and the yield of kaolinite nanotubes is higher for coarse crystalline coal-measure kaolinite.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ali Maged, Ahmed M. Elgarahy, Mark W. Hlawitschka, Nils H. Haneklaus, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Amit Bhatnagar
Summary: This study successfully synthesized functionalized algal biochar-clay composite (FBKC) and extensively evaluated its sorption performance towards norfloxacin (NFX) antibiotic and crystal violet dye (CVD) in both batch and continuous flow systems. Characterization techniques showed that FBKC had a significantly increased surface area and well-developed pore structure compared to the precursors. FBKC exhibited a high maximum sorption capacity for both NFX and CVD, and the fitting of experimental data to Freundlich and Clark models suggested multi-layer sorption of NFX/CVD molecules. Mechanistic studies revealed multiple mechanisms involved in NFX/CVD sorption onto FBKC, and the estimated low cost and superior sorption capacity make FBKC an efficient sorbent for emergent water pollutants.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinhui Fan, Xiaoqing Wang, Bin Zhao, Junfeng Wan, Jianwei Tang, Xiaoying Guo
Summary: The sorption properties of diethyl phthalate (DEP) by biochar samples derived from different nutshell sources at different pyrolysis temperatures were investigated. The results showed that lower temperature biochar exhibited stronger sorption intensity due to specific interactions between polar functional groups and DEP molecules, while higher temperature biochar had stronger sorption driven by surface adsorption. Peanut shell derived-biochar showed promising potential for remediation of DEP in the environment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hamed A. Al-Swadi, Abdullah S. Al-Farraj, Mohammad I. Al-Wabel, Munir Ahmad, Jahangir Ahmad, Mohammed Awad Mousa, Muhammad Imran Rafique, Muhammad Usama
Summary: In this study, different materials were used to remove heavy metals from contaminated water, and the adsorption mechanisms and kinetics were analyzed. It was found that kaolinite-synthesized materials showed higher adsorption capacity for heavy metals compared to pristine materials, with pH 7 being the optimum condition. The results suggest that biochar, hydrochar, and their modified composites have the potential to remove heavy metals from contaminated aqueous media and mitigate heavy metal toxicity for a sustainable environment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edward Calabrese, Peter Pressman, Evgenios Agathokleous, Gaurav Dhawan, Rachna Kapoor, Vittorio Calabrese
Summary: In this review, it is shown that boron induces hormetic dose responses in a wide range of biological models, organ systems, and endpoints. Particularly, hormetic findings have been reported in whole animal studies, suggesting that boron may have significant systemic effects beyond its essential functions. Re-exploring the bioactivity of boron through hormetic mechanisms may contribute to the assessment of micronutrient effects on human health and disease.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Zibo Xu, Mingjing He, Xiaoyun Xu, Xinde Cao, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: The study evaluated the stability of biochar after different activation processes, finding that thermal activation improved thermal stability, while chemical activation enhanced chemical stability. Additionally, biochar activated with H2SO4 showed the best performance in terms of both chemical and thermal stability.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Jose Costa de Macedo Neto, Bruno Mello de Freitas, Adalberto Gomes de Miranda, Reinaldo de Almeida Rodrigues, Gilberto Garcia Del Pino, Antonio Claudio Kieling, Marcos Dantas dos Santos, Sergio Duvoisin Junior, Antonio Estanislau Sanches, Israel Gondres Torne, Claudia Candida Silva, Joao Carlos Martins da Costa, Roger Hoel Bello
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the stability and morphology of polystyrene latex with kaolinite as a filler during the synthesis of nanocomposites through emulsion polymerization. Nanocomposites with different weight percentages of kaolinite (1%, 3%, and 5%) were prepared. Latexes with 1% to 3% kaolinite showed stability during the polymerization reaction, and the hydrodynamic diameters were measured to be 93.68 nm and 82.11 nm for the latexes with 1% and 3% kaolinite, respectively. XRD, SEM, and HRTEM analysis confirmed the presence of exfoliated and intercalated structures of kaolinite.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Honghong Lyu, Pin Li, Jingchun Tang, Weixin Zou, Pengfei Wang, Bin Gao, Lin Dong
Summary: The synergy between adsorption and photocatalysis provides an ideal green technology for treating antibiotic pollution in water. In this study, single-atom Mn anchored on N-doped graphene oxide (Mn-NGO) was synthesized and showed enhanced adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of aqueous sulfanilamide (SNM). The mechanisms behind the enhanced performance were revealed, including upgraded electronic structures, increased adsorption and polarizing of SNM, and the generation of key reaction intermediates.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yulin Zheng, Yongshan Wan, Yue Zhang, Jinsheng Huang, Yicheng Yang, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Hailong Wang, Hao Chen, Bin Gao
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in phosphorus removal technologies in wastewater treatment. The analysis focuses on the mechanisms, removal efficiencies, and recovery potential of four typical treatment processes, as well as comparing their design principles, feasibility, operation parameters, and pros & cons. The study also proposes perspectives and future research directions for phosphorus removal and recovery in the context of sustainable water treatment technology.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pingping Yu, Nan Li, Weixin Zou, Xiaoqian Wei, Jiawei Ji, Li Han, Yandi Cai, Wei Tan, Bin Gao, Lin Dong
Summary: In this study, CeO2/K-OMS-2 catalyst was synthesized for photocatalytic toluene oxidation, showing excellent activity and stability. It was found that the presence of K+ in the K-OMS-2 channels changed the Fermi levels, leading to the formation of heterojunctions and promoting charge transfer. Moreover, the interaction between oxygen species on the catalyst surface and photo-generated charges generated radicals, which catalyzed the oxidation reaction. It was also observed that the reaction process was influenced by the humidity to some extent.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaodong Yang, Lili Wang, Jin Tong, Xueqin Shao, Ying Feng, Jinfeng Zhou, Ye Han, Xizhen Yang, Fangjun Ding, Jing Zhang, Qiaoyu Li, Guodong Li, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Bin Gao
Summary: A porous peanut hull biosorbent was successfully synthesized using a facile one-step alkaline ball milling approach. The biosorbent exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Congo red, titan yellow, and methyl violet, with maximum sorption capacities of 4864.4 mg/g, 455.9 mg/g, and 126.1 mg/g, respectively. The results suggest that alkaline ball-milling is a promising method for converting biomass into advanced biosorbents for organic dyes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bo Chen, Neng Lv, Wenfeng Xu, Li Gong, Taoyu Sun, Liyuan Liang, Bin Gao, Feng He
Summary: This study compared the retention and transport of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) modified nZVI (CMC-nZVI) and sulfidated nZVI (CMC-S-nZVI) particles in saturated columns packed with quartz sand. The results showed that grain size reduction inhibited the transport of both CMC-nZVI and CMC-S-nZVI, while metal oxide coatings had minimal effect. CMC-S-nZVI exhibited higher breakthrough and mass recovery compared to CMC-nZVI under the same experimental conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guangdou Qi, Zhifei Pan, Xueyang Zhang, Shuaishuai Chang, Hongbo Wang, Min Wang, Wei Xiang, Bin Gao
Summary: Microwave biochar produced with activated carbon catalyst shows excellent potential in removing heavy metals from waste water due to its high specific surface area and adsorption capacity. The optimum pH value for heavy metal removal is between 5-6, and Pb2+ exhibits the strongest affinity. The adsorption process is mainly explained by monolayer adsorption and chemical adsorption mechanisms. Complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups and precipitation with carbonate are the predominant adsorption mechanisms.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ruirui Zhang, Ruiling Zhang, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Hailong Wang, Bin Gao
Summary: Biochar is a promising environmental remediation agent due to its adsorptive and catalytic properties. However, the environmental effects of persistent free radicals (PFRs) produced during biochar production are still not well understood. This review aims to provide an overview of the formation mechanisms and types of biochar PFRs, evaluate their environmental applications and potential risks, summarize their migration and transformation in the environment, and explore effective management strategies for biochar PFRs. Future research directions are also recommended.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yangfan Yuan, Changai Zhang, Chenhao Zhao, Bing Wang, Xiaozhi Wang, Bin Gao, Shengsen Wang, Joerg Rinklebe
Summary: In this study, a novel heterogonous catalyst FCBC was prepared through a one-step co-pyrolysis protocol, which demonstrated excellent efficiency in degrading organic pollutants by activating PDS. The catalyst showed structural defects, high surface area, and low electrical impedance, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species. The cascade reactions involving sulfate radicals and hydroxyl radicals, as well as non-radical pathways, contributed to the degradation of Rhodamine B.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kang Liu, Mengmeng Wang, Qiaozhi Zhang, Zibo Xu, Claudia Labianca, Michael Komarek, Bin Gao, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: Oxidative extraction has become an economically viable option for recycling lithium from spent LiFePO4 batteries. In this study, the releases behaviour of Li from spent LiFePO4 batteries under different oxidizing conditions was investigated with NaClO as the oxidant. Mechanochemical oxidation produced lithium carbonate, while hydrometallurgical oxidation produced lithium chloride.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiaodong Yang, Xueqin Shao, Jin Tong, Jinfeng Zhou, Ying Feng, Rui Chen, Qiang Yang, Ye Han, Xizhen Yang, Lili Wang, Xuewen Ma, Zhongqing Fan, Zhi Song, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Bin Gao
Summary: This study investigated a facile and environmentally-friendly method to synthesize a porous Na-bentonite/hickory-biochar composite sorbent from hickory waste biomass. The composite sorbents showed increased microporosity and O-containing functional groups. The composite prepared with 10% biomass by weight and at 600°C exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for Eriochrome Blue Black R (EBBR) anionic organic dyes.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taige Li, Wenjing Li, Shan Yu, Chenhao Zhao, Longfei Liu, Yuncong C. Li, Bin Gao, Hao Chen, Bing Wang, Xiaozhi Wang, Shengsen Wang, Jorg Rinklebe
Summary: In this study, hydrogen radicals were found to be a new pathway for the production of hydroxyl radicals, which increased the dissolution of cadmium sulfide and the solubility of Cd in paddy soils. Soil incubation experiments showed that the bioavailable Cd concentrations in flooded paddy soils increased by 8.44% after 3 days of aeration. The presence of hydrogen radicals in aerated soil sludge was observed for the first time. Electrolysis experiments confirmed the association of CdS dissolution with free radicals. The application of biochar decreased soil DTPA-Cd by 22-56% through multiple mechanisms, including the quenching of radicals and stimulation of Fe/S-reducing bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiahui Liu, Yuechao Yang, Bin Gao, Wentao Wang, Dongdong Cheng, Yuanyuan Yao, Tianlin Shen, Ting Zhang, Jinpeng Wu, Xinning Zhao, Jiaqi Weng, Jiazhuo Xie
Summary: In this study, a coating material with controlled-release fertilizer function was developed using recyclable waste cardboard. By improving hydrophobicity and coating structure, the controlled-release abilities were significantly enhanced, leading to prolonged fertilizer release and increased oilseed rape yield. This research provides an efficient strategy for the application of low-cost and eco-friendly biowaste-derived controlled-release fertilizers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Jiang, Feiyue Li, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Zhongpu Yu, Licheng Ji, Chengcheng Wei, Xueyang Zhang, Bin Gao
Summary: Biochar, attapulgite, and diatomite were co-ball milled to prepare mineral-biochar composites for wastewater treatment. The composites showed better adsorption capacity for methylene blue compared to ball milled biochar and mineral alone. The 10% composites of attapulgite-biochar and diatomite-biochar had the highest adsorption capacities, which were 2.7 and 2.3 times that of ball milled biochar, respectively. The improved adsorption is attributed to the oxygen-containing functional groups and cation exchange capacity of the composites.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuchu Feng, Lan Zhang, Xiu Zhang, Jingyu Li, Yimeng Li, Yaru Peng, Yuan Luo, Ronghua Li, Bin Gao, Mohamed A. Hamouda, Ken Smith, Esmat F. Ali, Sang Soo Lee, Zengqiang Zhang, Joerg Rinklebe, Sabry M. Shaheen
Summary: The needle-like MgO particle coated tea waste biochar composite (MTC) was prepared and used as an adsorbent for removing phosphorus (P) from synthetic solution and kitchen waste fermentation liquid. The maximum P sorption capacities of MTC were 58.80 mg g(-1) from the solution at pH 7 and 192.8 mg g(-1) from the fermentation liquid at pH 9. MTC exhibited different P sorption mechanisms in different environments, making it effective for P removal from aqueous environments, especially fermentation liquids.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quan Qian, Jun Liang, Zhefan Ren, Jingke Sima, Xiaoyun Xu, Jorg Rinklebe, Xinde Cao
Summary: The simulated in-vitro gastrointestinal method is a simple way to evaluate the health risk of human body exposed to soil contaminants. This study explored the transformation and bioaccessibility of Cr in two Cr-contaminated soils during the physiologically based extraction test. The results showed that pepsin and organic acids in gastric phase could reduce Cr(VI) into Cr(III), while in the intestinal phase, pancreatin and bile salt had little effect on the Cr(VI) reduction, instead, more Cr(VI) was released from soil.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2024)