Biochar efficiently removes recalcitrant pharmaceuticals from wastewater

• This study investigated the potential of biochar as a filter medium for removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and wastewater macro-pollutants in on-site wastewater treatment systems. Removal of carbamazepine among other selected PhACs was investigated over 22 weeks experiment in four treatments: biochar (BC) with active and inactive biofilm (BC-active-biofilm, BC-inactive-biofilm), biochar without biofilm for adsorption only (BC-no-biofilm) and sand with active biofilm (Sand-active-biofilm). Carbamazepine removal in BC-no-biofilm (98%) was high due to adsorption, while nonexistent removal was observed in Sand-active-biofilm, revealing low biodegradability of carbamazepine. Removal of carbamazepine in BC-active-biofilm was stable (>98%), while it declined with time in BC-inactive-biofilm. In conclusion, biochar is a promising filter material supporting active biofilm and adsorption for the removal of PhACs in on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Miljöbioteknik -- Annan miljöbioteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Biotechnology -- Other Environmental Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)