PERFORMANCE OF BIOCHAR IN BIORETENTION SYSTEM FOR REMOVAL OF MIXED CONTAMINANT: A REVIEW

E.X. SONG, S. ANURITA, M.N.A. AAN, F.Y. TEO, C.F. WONG, P. KOPPULA

Abstract


Improper runoff management not only endangers human health but also threatens the ecosystem. Runoff often contains large amounts of organic and inorganic contaminants that create adverse impacts on the environment and cause a significant impediment to urban stormwater reuse. A bioretention system is a modern device that has been widely used; it is engineered to eliminate suspended solids and some other water-bound contaminants. Biochar, a carbon-rich byproduct produced from biomass pyrolysis, has proven to be effective in removing certain pollutants. This paper reviews the relevant applications of biochar filter media in bioretention systems and examines biochar’s ability to remove E. coli, heavy metals, and nutrients. It also compares the performance of biochar produced under different operating conditions and provides further refinement of bioretention design parameters. Remarkably, biochar was reported as a promising adsorbent that is suitable to be amended to the bioretention system. Its high specific surface area, microporous carbonaceous structure, and negatively charged oxygen functional groups on the surface have created a strong affinity for mixed contaminant removal. More studies need to be conducted to encourage continuous quality improvement of the bioretention system.


Keywords


Biochar, Bioretention system, Filter media, Contaminant removal, Runoff treatment

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References


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