Abstract
Purpose
Biochar derived from waste biomass is now gaining much attention for its function as a biosorbent for environmental remediation. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of biochar as a sorbent in removing Cd, Cu, and Zn from aqueous solutions.
Methods
Biochar was produced from dairy manure (DM) at two temperatures: 200°C and 350°C, referred to as DM200 and DM350, respectively. The obtained biochars were then equilibrated with 0–5 mM Cu, Zn or Cd in 0.01 M NaNO3 solution for 10 h. The changes in solution metal concentrations after sorption were evaluated for sorption capacity using isotherm modeling and chemical speciation Visual MINTEQ modeling, while the solid was collected for species characterization using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray elemental dot mapping techniques.
Results
The isotherms of Cu, Zn, and Cd sorption by DM200 were better fitted to Langmuir model, whereas Freundlich model well described the sorption of the three metals by DM350. The DM350 were more effective in sorbing all three metals than DM200 with both biochars had the highest affinity for Cu, followed by Zn and Cd. The maximum sorption capacities of Cu, Zn, and Cd by DM200 were 48.4, 31.6, and 31.9 mg g−1, respectively, and those of Cu, Zn, and Cd by DM350 were 54.4, 32.8, and 51.4 mg g−1, respectively. Sorption of the metals by the biochar was mainly attributed to their precipitation with PO 3−4 or CO 2−3 originating in biochar, with less to the surface complexation through –OH groups or delocalized π electrons. At the initial metal concentration of 5 mM, 80–100 % of Cu, Zn, and Cd retention by DM200 resulted from the precipitation, with less than 20 % from surface adsorption through phenonic –OH complexation. Among the precipitation, 20–30 % of the precipitation occurred as metal phosphate and 70–80 % as metal carbonate. For DM350, 75–100 % of Cu, Zn, and Cd retention were due to the precipitation, with less than 25 % to surface adsorption through complexation of heavy metal by phenonic –OH site or delocalized π electrons. Among the precipitation, only less than 10 % of the precipitation was present as metal phosphate and more than 90 % as metal carbonate.
Conclusions
Results indicated that dairy manure waste can be converted into value-added biochar as a sorbent for sorption of heavy metals, and the mineral components originated in the biochar play an important role in the biochar's high sorption capacity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahluwalia SS, Goyal D (2007) Microbial and plant derived biomass for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Bioresour Technol 98:2243–2257
Ali I (2010) The quest for active carbon adsorbent substitutes: inexpensive adsorbents for toxic metal ions removal from wastewater. Sepn Purifn Rev 39:95–171
Ali I, Gupta VK (2006) Advances in water treatment by adsorption technology. Nat Protoc 1:2661–2667
Beesley L, Moreno-Jimenez E, Gomez-Eyles JL (2010) Effects of biochar and greenwaste compost amendments on mobility, bioavailability and toxicity of inorganic and organic contaminants in a multi-element polluted soil. Environ Pollut 158:2282–2287
Beesley L, Moreno-Jimenez E, Gomez-Eyles JL, Harris E, Robinson B, Sizmur T (2011) A review of biochars' potential role in the remediation, revegetation and restoration of contaminated soils. Environ Pollut 159:3269–3282
Cao XD, Ma LQ, Gao B, Harris W (2009) Dairy-manure derived biochar effectively sorbs lead and atrazine. Environ Sci Technol 43:3285–3291
Cao XD, Harris W (2010) Properties of dairy-manure-derived biochar pertinent to its potential use in remediation. Bioresour Technol 101:5222–5228
Chan KY, van Zwiete L, Meazaros I (2007) Agronomic values of greenwaste biochar as a soil amendment. Austra J Soil Res 45:629–634
Chen X, Chen G, Chen L, Chen Y, Lehmann J, McBride MB, Hay AG (2011) Adsorption of copper and zinc by biochars produced from pyrolysis of hardwood and corn straw in aqueous solution. Bioresour Technol 102:8877–8884
Chun Y, Sheng GY, Choiu CT (2004) Compositions and sorptive properties of crop residue-derived chars. Environ Sci Technol 38:4649–4655
Das SK, Das AR, Guha AK (2007) A study on the adsorption mechanism of mercury on Aspergillus versicolor biomass. Environ Sci Technol 41:8281–8287
Demirbas A (2008) Heavy metal adsorption onto agro-based waste materials: a review. J Hazard Mater 157:220–229
Echeverria JC, Morera MT, Mazkiaran C, Garrido JJ (1998) Competitive sorption of heavy metal by soils: isotherms and fractional factorial experiments. Environ Pollut 101:275–284
Giles CH, Smith DA (1974) General treatment and classification of the solute adsorption isotherm, Part I: theoretical. J Colloid Interface Sci 47:755–765
Gupta VK, Ali I (2000) Utilisation of bagasse fly ash (a sugar industry waste) for the removal of copper and zinc from wastewater. Sepn Purifn Technol 18:131–140
Gupta VK, Ali I, Saini VK (2007a) Adsorption studies on the removal of Vertigo Blue 49 and Orange DNA13 from aqueous solutions using carbon slurry developed from a waste material. J Colloid Interface Sci 315:87–93
Gupta VK, Ali I, Saini VK (2007b) Defluoridation of wastewaters using waste carbon slurry. Water Res 41:3307–3316
Gupta VK, Al Hayat M, Singh AK, Pal MK (2009a) Nano level detection of Cd(II) using poly(vinyl chloride) based membranes of Schiff bases. Anal Chim Acta 634:36–43
Gupta VK, Carrott PJM, Ribeiro Carrott MML, Suhas (2009b) Low cost adsorbents: growing approach to wastewater treatment—a review. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 39:783–842
Gupta VK, Goyal RN, Sharma RA (2009c) Comparative studies of neodymium (III)-selective PVC membrane sensors. Anal Chim Acta 647:66–71
Gupta VK, Goyal RN, Sharma RA (2009d) Novel PVC membrane based alizarin sensor and its application; Determination of vanadium, zirconium and molybdenum. Inter J Electrochem Sci 4:156–172
Gupta VK, Jain CK, Ali I, Sharmaa M, Sainia VK (2003) Removal of cadmium and nickel from wastewater using bagasse fly ash–a sugar industry waste. Water Res 37:4038–4044
Gupta VK, Jain AK, Kumar P, Agarwal S, Maheshwari G (2006a) Chromium(III)-selective sensor based on tri-o-thymotide in PVC matrix. Sensors Actuators B Chem 113:182–186
Gupta VK, Jain R, Mittal A, Mathur M, Sikarwar S (2007c) Photochemical degradation of the hazardous dye Safranin-T using TiO2 catalyst. J Colloid and Interface Sc 309:464–469
Gupta VK, Jain R, Varshney S (2007d) Removal of Reactofix golden yellow 3 RFN from aqueous solution using wheat husk—an agricultural waste. J Hazard Mater 142:443–448
Gupta VK, Kumar P (1999) Cadmium (II)-selective sensors based on dibenzo-24-crown-8 in PVC matrix. Anal Chim Acta 389:205–212
Gupta VK, Mittal A, Gajbe V, Mittal J (2006b) Removal and recovery of the hazardous azo dye acid orange 7 through adsorption over waste materials: bottom ash and de-oiled soya. Ind Eng Chem Res 45:1446–1453
Gupta VK, Mohan D, Sharma S, Park KT (1999) Removal of chromium (VI) from electroplating industry wastewater using bagasse fly ash–a sugar industry waste material. Environmentalist 19:129–136
Gupta VK, Mangla R, Agarwal S (2002) Pb (II) selective potentiometric sensor based on 4-tert-Butylcalix [4] arene in PVC matrix. Electroanalysis 14:1127–1132
Gupta VK, Rastogi A (2008) Equilibrium and kinetic modelling of cadmium(II) biosorption by nonliving algal biomass Oedogonium sp from aqueous phase. J Hazard Mater 153:759–766
Gupta VK, Rastogi A (2009) Biosorption of hexavalent chromium by raw and acid-treated green alga Oedogonium hatei from aqueous solutions. J Hazard Mater 163:396–402
Gupta VK, Rastogi A, Dwivedi MK, Mohan D (1997) Process development for the removal of zinc and cadmium from wastewater using slag—a blast furnace waste material Sepn. Part Sci Technol 32:2883–2912
Gupta VK, Rastogi A, Nayak A (2010) Adsorption studies on the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using a low cost fertilizer industry waste material. J Colloid Interface Sci 342:135–141
Gupta VK, Sharma S (2003) Removal of zinc from aqueous solutions using bagasse fly ash a low cost adsorbent. Ind Engr Chem Res 42:6619–6624
Gupta VK, Singh AK, Gupta B (2007e) Schiff bases as cadmium(II) selective ionophores in polymeric membrane electrodes. Anal Chim Acta 583:340–348
Gustafsson JP (2010) Visual MINTEQ ver. 3.0. Available at http://www2.lwr.kth.se/English/OurSoftware/vminteq/index.htm
Jain AK, Gupta VK, Khurana U, Singh LP (1997a) A new membrane sensor for UO2+, based on 2-hydroxyacetophenoneoxime -thioureatrioxane resin. Electroanalysis 9:857–860
Jain AK, Gupta VK, Sahoo BB, Singh LP (1995a) Copper (II)-selective electrodes based on macrocyclic compounds. Anal Proc including Anal Commun 32:99–101
Jain AK, Gupta VK, Singh LP (1995b) Neutral carrier and organic resin based membranes as sensors for uranyl ions. Anal Proc including Anal Commun 32:263–265
Jain AK, Gupta VK, Singh LP, Khurana U (1997b) Macrocycle based membrane sensors for the determination of cobalt (II) ions. Analyst 122:583–586
Jain AK, Gupta VK, Singh LP, Srivastava P, Raisoni JR (2005) Anion recognition through novel C-thiophenecalix[4] resorcinarene: PVC based sensor for chromate ions. Talanta 65:716–721
Lehmann J (2007) A handful of carbon. Nature 443:143–144
Lehmann J, Joseph S (2009) Biochar for environmental management. Science and Technology Earthscan, Ltd., London
Martins AF, de Cardoso AL, Stahl JA, Diniz J (2007) Low temperature conversion of rice husks, eucalyptus sawdust and peach stones for the production of carbon-like adsorbent. Bioresour Technol 98:1095–1100
Mohan D, Iittman PCU Jr, Bricka M, Smith F, Yancey B, Mohammad J, Steele PH, Alexandre-Franco MF, Gómez-Serrano V, Gong H (2007) Sorption of arsenic, cadmium, and lead by chars produced from fast pyrolysis of wood and bark during bio-oil production. J Colloid Interface Sci 310:57–73
National Research Council (NRC) (2001) Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle, 7 revth edn. National Academy Press, Washington, DC
Olsen SR, Sommers LE (1982) Phosphorus. In: Page AL et al (eds) methods of soil analyses: part 2 chemical and microbiological properties. Am. Soc. Agron, WI, USA, pp 403–430
Qiu YP, Cheng HY, Xu C, Sheng G (2008) Surface characteristics of crop-residue-derived black carbon and lead(II) adsorption. Water Res 42:567–574
Shinogi Y, Kanri Y (2003) Pyrolysis of plant, animal and human waste: physical and chemical characterization of the pyrolytic products. Bioresour Technol 90:241–247
Srivastava SK, Gupta VK, Dwivedi MK, Jain S (1995) Caesium PVC-Crown (dibenzo-24-crown-8) based membrane sensor. Anal Pro including Anal Commun 32:21–23
Srivastava SK, Gupta VK, Jain S (1996) A PVC-based benzo-15-crown-5 membrane sensor for cadmium. Electroanalysis 8:938–940
Uchimiya M, Lima IM, Klasson KT, Chang SC, Wartelle LH, Rodgers JE (2010) Immobilization of heavy metal ions (Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II)) by broiler litter-derived biochars in water and soil. J Agr Food Chem 58:5538–5544
Uchimiya M, Wartelle LH, Klasson KT, Fortier CA, Lima IM (2011) Influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochar property and function as a heavy metal sorbent in soil. J Agr Food Chem 59:2501–2510
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (1986) Test methods for evaluating solid waste, Laboratory Manual Physical/Chemical Methods. U.S. Gov. Print Office, Washington, DC
van Zwieten L, Kimber S, Morris S, Chan KY, Downie A, Rust J, Joseph S, Cowie A (2010) Effects of biochar from slow pyrolysis of papermill waste on agronomic performance and soil fertility. Plant Soil 327:235–246
Villaescusa I, Fiol N, Martinez M, Miralles N, Pocj J, Serarols J (2004) Removal of copper and nickel ions from aqueous solutions by grape stalks wastes. Water Res 38:992–1002
Woolf D, Amonette JE, Street-Perrott FA, Lehmann J, Joseph S (2010) Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change. Nature Commun 1:56
Wan Ngah WS, Hanafiah MAKM (2008) Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater by chemically modified plant wastes as adsorbents: a review. Bioresour Technol 99:3935–3948
Acknowledgments
This work was supported in part by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20877056, 21077072), China Ministry of Education Returned Overseas Scholar Scientific Foundation, China Ministry of Education Doctor Scientific Foundation, Shanghai Pujiang Talent Project (11PJ1404600), and the SJTU University Innovative Foundation.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Responsible editor: Vinod Kumar Gupta
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Xu, X., Cao, X., Zhao, L. et al. Removal of Cu, Zn, and Cd from aqueous solutions by the dairy manure-derived biochar. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 358–368 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-0873-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-0873-5