Abstract
Bioremediation by biochar can occur by immobilizing, stabilizing, and reducing contaminants’ bioavailability such as toxic metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalic acid esters, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides. Biochar characteristics depend on the biomass used, on the pyrolysis conditions, changing material characteristics and influencing the contaminants’ sorption capacity and affinity. In addition to immobilization, the degradation of organic contaminants in the soil can stimulate specific microbial groups. The aim is to synthesize the methods used in the production of biochar and the recent advances in the application of biochar in the remediation of different contaminants in the soil, summarizing the main methods used to improve the structural and physicochemical properties of biochar to increase its potential for remediation. Also, consideration was given to the biological and abiotic processes that can alter the physical and chemical properties of the biochar, and the main applications were presented as in soil amendment and composting, carbon sequestration, wastewater treatment, and bioenergy, relating the use of the biochar with the sustainable development goals.
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Rempel, A., Nazari, M.T., Braun, J.C.A., Kreling, N.E., Treichel, H., Colla, L.M. (2021). Application of Biochar for Soil Remediation. In: Thapar Kapoor, R., Treichel, H., Shah, M.P. (eds) Biochar and its Application in Bioremediation. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4059-9_19
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