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Biochar imparted constructed wetlands (CWs) for enhanced biodegradation of organic and inorganic pollutants along with its limitation

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Abstract

The remediation of polluted soil and water stands as a paramount task in safeguarding environmental sustainability and ensuring a dependable water source. Biochar, celebrated for its capacity to enhance soil quality, stimulate plant growth, and adsorb a wide spectrum of contaminants, including organic and inorganic pollutants, within constructed wetlands, emerges as a promising solution. This review article is dedicated to examining the effects of biochar amendments on the efficiency of wastewater purification within constructed wetlands. This comprehensive review entails an extensive investigation of biochar’s feedstock selection, production processes, characterization methods, and its application within constructed wetlands. It also encompasses an exploration of the design criteria necessary for the integration of biochar into constructed wetland systems. Moreover, a comprehensive analysis of recent research findings pertains to the role of biochar-based wetlands in the removal of both organic and inorganic pollutants. The principal objectives of this review are to provide novel and thorough perspectives on the conceptualization and implementation of biochar-based constructed wetlands for the treatment of organic and inorganic pollutants. Additionally, it seeks to identify potential directions for future research and application while addressing prevailing gaps in knowledge and limitations. Furthermore, the study delves into the potential limitations and risks associated with employing biochar in environmental remediation. Nevertheless, it is crucial to highlight that there is a significant paucity of data regarding the influence of biochar on the efficiency of wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands, with particular regard to its impact on the removal of both organic and inorganic pollutants.

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Abbreviations

CWs:

Constructed wetlands

CFW:

Constructed floating wetland

TSS:

Total suspended solids

BOD5 :

Biochemical oxygen demand

SSF-CWs:

Sub-surface flow constructed wetlands

FWF-CWs:

Free water surface flow constructed wetlands

HF-CWs:

Horizontal flow constructed wetlands

VF-CWs:

Vertical flow constructed wetlands

DO:

Dissolved oxygen

CWMs:

Constructed wetland microcosms

AOX:

Adsorbable organic halogen

EW:

Emergent wetland

CWEs:

Constructed wetland ecotechnologies

CEC:

Cation exchange capacity

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

HLR:

Hydraulic loading rate

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand

TN:

Total nitrogen

N2O:

Nitrous oxide

TP:

Total phosphorus

EC:

Electrical conductivity

VBF-CW:

Vertical baffle flow constructed wetland

E-BHFCWs:

Electrolysis-integrated, biochar-amended, horizontal (sub-surface) flow constructed wetlands

AC:

Activated carbon

VF-FWS-CWs:

Vertical flow and free water surface constructed wetland system

IRCWs:

Integrated recirculating constructed wetlands

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Ruba Munir, Muhammad Zahid & Saima Noreen

  2. Department of Physics, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Amna Muneer

  3. Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Bushra Sadia

  4. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China

    Fazila Younas

  5. Department of Physics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Yaseen

Authors
  1. Ruba Munir
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  2. Amna Muneer
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  3. Bushra Sadia
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  4. Fazila Younas
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  5. Muhammad Zahid
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  6. Muhammad Yaseen
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  7. Saima Noreen
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Contributions

Ruba Munir: data curation, conceptualization, writing (original draft), and resources. Saima Noreen: supervision, conceptualization, and writing (reviewing and editing). Amna Muneer: data curation and writing (review and editing). Bushra Sadia: writing (reviewing and editing). Muhammad Zahid: writing (reviewing and editing). Muhammad Yaseen: writing (review and editing). Fazila Younas: investigation and writing (review and editing).

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saima Noreen.

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Highlights

• Application of biochar-augmented constructed wetlands.

• Investigating the diversity of biochar feedstock, the impacts of heating and temperature variations, and optimizing conditions as a substrate.

• CW system design criteria with biochar.

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Munir, R., Muneer, A., Sadia, B. et al. Biochar imparted constructed wetlands (CWs) for enhanced biodegradation of organic and inorganic pollutants along with its limitation. Environ Monit Assess 196, 425 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12595-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12595-1

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