S. Mandal, D. Morales, O. Karki, P. Jogi
Texas State University,
United States
Keywords: emerging contaminant removal, soil enhancement, urban heat mitigation, waste valorization
Summary:
Introduction Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolyzing biomass in the absence of oxygen, has emerged as a versatile tool for sustainable development and public health. It offers multiple environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, pollutant adsorption, and soil enhancement, while also contributing to urban resilience and climate mitigation. Emerging research highlights biochar’s ability to improve physical and mental health, community well-being, and ecosystem services. By converting agricultural, woody, and organic wastes into biochar, we not only manage waste sustainably but also create a high-value material that improves water and air quality, reduces environmental stressors, and enhances soil structure. Objectives Biochar Preparation: Convert agricultural waste into biochar via controlled pyrolysis. Characterization: Analyze physical and chemical properties of biochar. Adsorption Evaluation: Measure biochar’s capacity to remove contaminants, including industrial dyes and pesticides, from water. Environmental Assessment: Examine biochar’s effects on soil quality, urban cooling, and water retention. Results and Discussion Biochar demonstrates exceptional environmental remediation capabilities. Industrial dye removal efficiency exceeds 90%, while the herbicide Atrazine is removed at rates above 85%, highlighting its potential for water purification. In urban green spaces, biochar enriches soil, increases water retention, supports plant growth, and mitigates the urban heat island effect. It strengthens soil resilience against drought and flooding, making landscapes more adaptive to climate extremes. Integration into green roofs, green walls, and permeable pavements improves stormwater management while cooling urban microclimates. Additionally, biochar contributes to carbon sequestration, pollutant filtration, and overall improvement in air and water quality.Future Work Future research will focus on: Optimizing biochar properties for targeted pollutant adsorption, including pharmaceuticals and microplastics. Developing composite materials combining biochar with hydrogels or other functional materials for multifunctional environmental applications. Long-term field studies to assess biochar’s impact on urban microclimates, soil fertility, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration potential. Evaluating cost-effective large-scale production methods to enhance adoption in urban and agricultural settings. Intellectual and Broader Impact Biochar represents a transformative approach at the intersection of sustainability, health, and environmental engineering. Intellectual contributions include novel methods for converting waste into multifunctional, high-performance materials and quantifying their effectiveness in real-world applications. Broader societal impacts include: Environmental: Reduction in landfill waste, enhanced soil health, and improved water and air quality. Public Health: Mitigation of pollutant exposure and support for greener urban spaces that promote well-being. Climate Resilience: Carbon sequestration and urban heat mitigation contribute to climate adaptation and resilience. Economic and Industrial: Biochar creates a sustainable, high-value resource for agriculture, urban planning, and environmental management. By combining waste valorization with environmental remediation, biochar offers a scalable, sustainable solution for resilient cities, healthier communities, and a cleaner planet.