Lead researcher Marlena Ndoun, a doctoral student in Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, samples water in central Pennsylvania’s Spring Creek for emerging contaminants.
IMAGE: PENN STATE
Biochar — a charcoal-like substance made primarily from agricultural waste products — holds promise for removing emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals from treated wastewater.
That’s the conclusion of a team of researchers that conducted a novel study that evaluated and compared the ability of biochar derived from two common leftover agricultural materials — cotton gin waste and guayule bagasse — to adsorb three common pharmaceutical compounds from an aqueous solution. In adsorption, one material, like a pharmaceutical compound, sticks to the surface of another, like the solid biochar particle. Conversely, in absorption, one material is taken internally into another; for example, a sponge absorbs water.
Guayule, a shrub that grows in the arid Southwest, provided the waste for one of the biochars tested in the research. More properly called Parthenium argentatum, it has been cultivated as a source of rubber and latex. The plant is chopped to the ground and its branches mashed up to extract the latex. The dry, pulpy, fibrous residue that remains after stalks are crushed to extract the latex is called bagasse.
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Biochar
- Will a biochar and volcanic rock blend reduce fertiliser needs?
Aquagel claims that the use of its micronised volcanic rock and organic biochar combination, called Regenr8, will significantly improve the carbon content of soil and reduce fertiliser requirements.
- Fulton County officials eye potential Northeastern Biochar Solutions plant
Facing opposition to its plans in Saratoga County, a fertilizer production company is now pitching to Fulton County officials.
- Northeastern Biochar CEO seeks more talks in Fulton County
JOHNSTOWN — Here’s the concept: a manufacturing plant designed to turn waste into carbon-based fertilizer. Northeastern Biochar Solutions executives are ready to pitch the concept, which has been ...
- Saratoga Biochar speaks to Fulton County officials about a move from Moreau, threatens lawsuit.
During a meeting with the Fulton County Public Works Committee Monday, Northeastern Biochar Solutions President, Bryce Meeker; CEO, Raymond Apy; and COO, Lee Wulfekuhle presented a preliminary ...
- Northeastern Biochar eyes Fulton County for new facility
Stakeholders behind a controversial waste management project in Moreau are now interested in setting up operations in Fulton County.
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Emerging contaminants
- ‘I see cocaine in wild shrimp in Suffolk’: meet the scientist who analyses our wastewater
Dr Leon Barron studies London’s wastewater, analysing it in all its chemical, narcotic, polluted glory, before and after treatment. Amazingly, he still drinks the stuff from the tap ...
- Emerging poultry technologies tackle industry challenges
Robotics and automation have long been promised as a solution to labor shortages in the poultry industry, but they are not yet advanced enough. To succeed in poultry environments, robotic systems need ...
- Cocaine is an emerging contaminant of concern in the Bay of Santos (Brazil), says researcher
In addition to already known pollutants, the Bay of Santos—a city in the state of São Paulo (Brazil) that is home to the largest seaport in Latin America—has been affected by an emerging contaminant ...
- Implications of PFAS Drinking Water Standards On Drinking Water Plants Operated Under P3 Agreements
In past decades, the cost of treating emerging contaminants, such as nitrogen and phosphorous, was handled similarly. These added treatment costs will ultimately be passed on to the residents and ...
- JBADS helps air base guard against germs — and a lot more
“JBADS provides our military with a unique and safe solution to decontaminate an aircraft to protect our warfighters and support the mission,” says Steve Richards, VP of Government Programs and JBADS ...
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Emerging contaminants
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