Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chromium-Sorbed Maize Stalk Biochar and Its Power Benefited Disposal: An Effective Power Generation Method for Removal of Chromium

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined Cr(VI) removal efficiency of maize stalk biochar (MSB) from waste water. Equilibrium isotherm results were examined by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms. The adsorption was found to fit well with the Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models, with R2 values of 0.994 and 0.909, respectively. Temkin indicates the process to be exothermic. The values of the thermodynamic parameter (∆G0) suggested that the adsorption was reasonable and natural. The FT-IR bands were recorded to explore the functional groups available to bind Cr(VI) ions). The SEM–EDS and TEM results show the morphology of the studied adsorbent and C/O ratio present in MSB. XRD and XPS analyses of the adsorbents before and after the reaction indicate that co-precipitation occurred during adsorption. Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) were recorded for MSB to understand the nature of the surface and pore space present. Thus, MSB has the potential to remove hexavalent chromium ions from wastewater, and removal efficiency is 81%. Microbes present in the soil effectively assisted the desorption of chromium ions from MSB’s active sites with concurrent power generation of 359 mV in microbial fuel cells.

Graphical Abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All the data collected in this experiment were given in the manuscript.

References

  • Ahemad, M. (2014). Bacterial mechanisms for Cr (VI) resistance and reduction: An overview and recent advances. Folia Microbiology, 59, 321–332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ambaye, T. G., Vaccari, M., Van Hullebusch, E. D., Amrane, A., & Rtimi, S. (2020). Mechanisms and adsorption capacities of biochar for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from industrial wastewater. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-03060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Annamalai, S., Santhanam, M., Sundaram, M., & Curras, M. P. (2014). Electrokinetic remediation of inorganic and organic pollutants in textile effluent contaminated agricultural soil. Chemosphere, 117, 673–678.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ayele, A., & Godeto, Y. G. (2021). Bioremediation of chromium by microorganisms and its mechanisms related to functional groups. Journal of Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/7694157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, R. S., & Abraham, T. E. (2002). Studies on enhancement of Cr (VI) biosorption by chemically modified biomass of Rhizopus nigricans. Water Research, 36(5), 1224–1236.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basha, S., & Murthy, Z. V. P. (2007). Kinetic and equilibrium models for biosorption of Cr (VI) on chemically modified seaweed, Cystoseira indica. Process Biochemistry, 42(11), 1521–1529.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Basile-Doelsch, I., Amudson, R., Stone, W. E. E., Borschneck, D., Bottero, J. Y., Moustier, T., Masin, F., & Colin, F. (2007). Mineral control of carbon pools in a colcanic horizon. Geoderma, 137, 437–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayu, A., Nandiyanto, D., Oktiani, R., & Ragadhita, R. (2019). How to read and interpret FTIR spectroscope of organic material. Indonesian Journal of Science & Technology, 4(1), 97–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beesley, L., & Marmiroli, M. (2011). The immobilisation and retention of soluble arsenic, cadmium and zinc by biochar. Environmental Pollution, 159, 474–480.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, X. D., Ma, L. N., Gao, B., & Harris, W. (2009). Dairy-manure derived biochar effectively sorbs lead and atrazine. Environmental Science Technology, 43, 3285–3291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Catal, T., Li, K., Bermek, H., & Liu, H. (2008). Electricity production from twelve monosaccharides using microbial fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 175, 196–200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, K. Y., & Xu, Z. (2009). Biochar: Nutrient properties and their enhancement. In J. Lehmann & S. Joseph (Eds.), Biochar for environmental management: Science and technology (pp. 53–66). Earthscan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong, X., Ma, L. Q., & Li, Y. (2011). Characteristics and mechanisms of hexavalent chromium removal by biochar from sugar beet tailing. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 190, 909–915.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont, L., & Guillon. (2003). Removal of hexavalent chromium with a lingo cellulosic substrate extracted from wheat bran. Environmental Science Technology, 37, 4235–4241.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ertani, A., Mietto, A., Borin, M., & Nardi, S. (2017). Chromium in agricultural soils and crops: A review. Water Air Soil Pollution, 228, 190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3356-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faybishenko, B., Hazen, T. C., Long, P. E., Brodie, E. L., Conard, M. E., & Hubbard, S. S. (2008). In-situ long-term reductive bioimmobilization of Cr (VI) in groundwater using hydrogen release compound. Environmental Science Technology, 42, 8478–8485.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, Y., Zhou, H., Liu, G., Qiao, J., Wang, J., Lu, H., Yang, L., & Wu, Y. (2012). Methyleneblue adsorption onto swede rape straw (Brassica napus L.) modified by taracid: Equilibrium, kinetic and adsorption mechanisms. Bioresource Technoogyl, 125, 138–144.

  • Freguia, S., Rabaey, K., Yuan, Z., & Keller, J. (2007). Electron and carbon balances in microbial fuel cells reveal temporary bacterial storage behaviour during electricity generation. Environmental Science Technology, 41, 2915–2921.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, VK., Rastogi, A., & Nayak, A. (2010). Adsorption studies on the removal of haxavalent chromium from aqueous solution using a low-cost fertilizer industry waste material. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 342,135–141.

  • Hiloidhari, M., Das, D., & Baruah, D. C. (2014). Bioenergy potential from crop residue biomass in India. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 32, 504–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • International Biochar Initiative. (2008). Biochar sustainability and security in a changing climate. In: IBI Conference, Newcastle, United ingdom, September 8–10.

  • Jain, M., Garg, V. K., & Kadirvelu, K. (2009). Chromium (VI) removal from aqueous system using Helianthus annuus (sunflower) stem waste. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 162, 365–372.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kannan, P., Subramaniayan, P., Prabukumar, G., & Swaminathan, C. (2016). Effect of biochar amendment on soil physical, chemical, and biological properties and groundnut yield in rainfed alfisol of semi-arid tropics. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 62, 1293–1310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasozi, G. N., Zimmerman, A. R., Nkedi-Kizza, P., & Gao. (2010). Catechol and humic acid sorption onto a range of laboratory-produced black carbons (Biochars). Environmental Science Technology, 44, 6189–6195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khawkomol, S., Neamchan, R., Thongsamer, T., Vinitnantharat, Panpradit, B., Sohsalam, P., Werner, D., & Mrozik, W. (2021). Potential of biochar derived from agricultural residues for sustainable management. Sustainability, 13, 8147. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158147

  • Kim, J. R., Jung, S. H., Regan, J. M., & Logan, B. (2007). Electricity generation and microbial community analysis of alcohol powered microbial fuel cells. Bioresource Technology, 98, 2568–2577.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kong, J., Yue, Q., Sun, S., Gao, B., Kan, Y., & Li, Q. (2014). Adsorption of Pb (II) from aqueous solution using keratin waste-hide waste: Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic modeling studies. Chemical Engineering Journal, 241, 393–400.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krishna Veni, D., Kannan, P., Jebakumar Immanuel Edison, T. N., & Senthilkumar, A. (2017). Biochar from green waste for phosphate removal with subsequent disposal. Waste Management, 68, 752–759.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, J. (2009). Biological carbon sequestration must and can be a win-win approach. Climate Change, 97(3), 459–463.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, J., Huang, X., Yan, J., Li, Y., Zhao, Z., Liu, Y., Ye, J., & Wei, Y. (2021). A review of the formation of Cr(VI) via Cr(III) oxidation in soils and groundwater. Science of the Total Environment, 774, 145762.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., Jiang, H., Wang, J., Zhang ,W., Hu, L., Peng, M., Mao, L.(2021). Oxidation reaction behavior of Cr-hosting spinels during heating of solid wastes containing Cr. Science of the Total Environment, 800, 149634.

  • Marsili, E., Baron, D. B., Shikhare, I. D., Coursolle, D., Gralnick, J. A., & Bond, D. R. (2008). Shewanella secretes flavins that mediate extracellular electron transfer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105, 3968–3973.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Menga, H., Niea, C., Lia, W., Duanb, X., Laic, B., Aoa, Z., Wang, S., & Ana, T. (2020). Insight into the effect of lignocellulosic biomass source on the performance of biochar as persulfate activator for aqueous organic pollutants remediation: Epicarp and mesocarp of citrus peels as examples. Journal of Hazardous Materials., 399, 123043.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, J., Saini, R., & Singh, D. (2021). Review paper on removal of heavy metal ions from industrial waste water effluent. Material Science Engineering., 1168, 012027.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitra, S., Sarkar, A., & Sen, S. (2017). Removal of chromium from industrial effluents using nanotechnology: A review Nanotechnol. Environmental Engineering, 2, 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, C. R., Carstens, B. P., Antholine, W. E., & Myers, J. M. (2000). Chromium (VI) reductase activity is associated with the cytoplasmic membrane of anaerobically grown Shewanella putrefaciens MR-1. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 88, 98–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nawaz, A., Hafeez, A., Abbas, S. Z., Haq, Ikram ul, Mukhtar, H., & Rafatullah, M. (2020). A state-of-the-art review on electron transfer mechanisms, characteristics, applications and recent advancements in microbial fuel cells technology. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews., 13, 365–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518253.2020.1854871

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozc, D., Imen, A., Ersoy-Meric, & Boyu. (2010). Characterization of biochar and bio-oil samples obtained from carbonization of various biomass materials. Renewable Energy, 35,1319–1324.

  • Ozdes, D., Gundogdu, A., Kemer, B., Duran, C., Kucuk, M., & Soylak, M. (2014). Assessment of kinetics, thermodynamics and equilibrium parameters of Cr (VI) biosorption onto Pinus brutia Ten. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 92(1), 139–147.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ozturk, S., & Aslim, B. (2008). Relationship between chromium (VI) resistance and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentration by some cyanobacterial isolates. Environmental Science Pollution Research International, 15, 478–480.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, D. L., Borer, P., & Bernier, R. (2011). The response of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to Cr (III) toxicity differs from that to Cr (VI). Frontiers in Microbiology, 2, 223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renu, Madhu Agarwal, & Kailash Singh. (2017). Methodologies for removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater: An overview. Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 18, 124–141.

  • Salima, A., Benaouda, B., Noureddine, B., & Duclaux, L. (2013). Application of Ulva lactuca and Systoceira stricta algae-based activated carbons to hazardous cationic dyes removal from industrial effluents. Water Research, 47, 3375–3388.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Senthilkumar, A. N., Kumaravel, T., & Gopalakrishnan, S. M. (2012). Steric effect of alkyl substituted piperidin-4-one oximes for corrosion control of mild steel in H2SO4 medium. Acta Physico - Chimica Sinica, 28, 399–406.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shekhawat, A., Kahu, S., Saravanan, D., & Jugade, R. (2015). Synergistic behaviour of ionic liquid impregnated sulphate-crosslinked chitosan towards adsorption of Cr (VI). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 80, 615–626.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sivasankar, A., & Won, S. (2022). Efficient degradation of trimethoprim with ball-milled nitrogen-doped biochar catalyst via persulfate activation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 440, 135815.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thatoi, H., Das, S., Mishra, J., Rath, B. P., & Das, N. (2014). Bacterial chromate reductase, a potential enzyme for bioremediation of hexavalent chromium: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 146, 383–399.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uchimiya, M., Lima, I. M., Klasson, K. T., Chang, S. C., Wartelle, L. H., & Rodgers, J. E. (2010). Immobilization of heavy metal ions (Cu-II, Cd-II, Ni-II, and Pb-II) by broiler litter-derived biochars in water and soil. Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry, 58, 5538–5544.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Zwieten, L., Kimber, S., Morris, S., Chan, K. Y., Downie, A., Rust, J., Joseph, S., & Cowie, A. (2010). Effects of biochar from slow pyrolysis of paper mill waste on agronomic performance and soil fertility. Plant and Soil, 327, 235–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viamajala, S., Peyton, B. M., Sani, R. K., Apel, W. A., & Petersen, J. N. (2004). Toxic effects of chromium (VI) on anaerobic and aerobic growth of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Biotechnology Progress, 20, 87–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vusumzi, E. P., Nikita, T. T., & Lawrence, M. M. (2019). Recent advances in hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solutions by adsorptive methods. RSC Advances, 9, 26142–26164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, S., Yu, W., Yang, T., Li, Q., & Guo, J. (2022). The adsorption of corn stalk biochar for pb and cd: Preparation, characterization, and batch adsorption study. Separations, 9(2), 22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, J. H., Xu, R. K., & Zhang, H. (2011). The forms of alkalis in the biochar produced from crop residues at different temperatures. Bioresource Technology, 102, 3488–3497.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zelmanov, G., & Semiat, R. (2011). Iron (Fe+3) oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles-based agglomerates suspension as adsorbent for chromium (Cr+6) removal from water and recovery. Sep. Purification Technology, 80, 330–337.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zuo, Y., Maness, P., & Logan, B. (2006). Electricity production from steam-exploded corn stover biomass. Energy & Fuels, 20, 1716–1721.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu for providing BET, XRD, and FTIR instrumental facilities.

Funding

DST-SERB-Core Grant [No: CRG/2019/006124] funds were utilized for carrying out this research work.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Krishnaveni Dhanuskodi

    Present address: PG & Research Department of Chemistry, Alagappa Government Arts College, Tamil Nadu, 630 003, Karaikudi, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. PG & Research Department of Chemistry, Alagappa Government Arts College, Tamil Nadu, 630 003, Karaikudi, India

    Senthilkumar Annamalai

  2. Department of Soils and Environment, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, 625 104, Tamil Nadu, India

    Kannan Pandian

  3. Electrodics and Electrocatalysis Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ponmani Subramanian

Authors
  1. Krishnaveni Dhanuskodi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kannan Pandian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Senthilkumar Annamalai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ponmani Subramanian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

KP and SA conceptualized and supervised the whole experiment; KD and SP experimented and wrote the manuscript. PK and SP edited and improved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kannan Pandian.

Ethics declarations

Ethical Standards Approval

The authors declare that all the experiments used in this study complied with the current laws approved by the Government of India.

Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Highlights of the present study

• The efficacy of maize stalk biochar (MSB) in removing Cr(VI) from waste water was highlighted in this study.

• It also emphasises the characterisation of maize stalk biochar (FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM-EDS, and BET) before and after chromium adsorption to understand the functional group, morphology, co-precipitation and the nature of the surface and pore space present on the biochar.

• The equilibrium models were utilized to deduce the Cr(VI) sorption properties, and the Gibbs free energy values revealed the spontaneity and feasibility of the process.

• This research also showed that chromium-adsorbed biochar may be safely disposed of in a microbial fuel cell, resulting in electricity generation.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dhanuskodi, K., Pandian, K., Annamalai, S. et al. Chromium-Sorbed Maize Stalk Biochar and Its Power Benefited Disposal: An Effective Power Generation Method for Removal of Chromium. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 222 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06233-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06233-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation