SpringerLink
Log in

Arsenic adsorption by different Fe-enriched biochars conditioned with sulfuric acid

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, ferric chloride and sulfuric acid were used to increase the Fe-containing minerals on the biochar surface before a pyrolysis at 600 °C. The pristine and Fe-modified biochars prepared at different concentrations of sulfuric acid (50FBC and 72FBC) were characterized and analyzed, and their capacity of As(V) adsorption under various pH and ionic strength were evaluated. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities of As(V) calculated by the Langmuir model for 50FBC and 72FBC are 10.33 and 15.61 mg g−1, respectively, which are enhanced by 5.0 and 7.8 times compared with the pristine biochar. The higher dosage of H2SO4 (72%) used in the modification leads to a better adsorption capacity of As, especially under neutral to alkaline conditions (7.0 < pH < 10.0). It might result from the increased amounts of Fe-containing minerals formed on the biochar surface, and the enriched functional groups such as phenolic hydroxyl and carboxyl, resulting in the resistance to alkaline conditions. Overall, the Fe-modified biochar, especially 72FBC, had good potential as an environmentally friendly adsorbent for removing As from contaminated water under a wider pH range.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and materials

The authors declare that all data and materials supporting the results of this study are available within the article.

References

  • Abbas Y, Majeed S, Ali S, Ahmad HB, Akhtar N, Yokota H (2018) Design of gravel-sand filter for arsenic removal: a case study of Muzaffargarh District in Pakistan. Water Environ Res 90:2106–2113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad M, Rajapaksha AU, Lim JE, Zhang M, Bolan N, Mohan D, Vithanage M, Lee SS, Ok YS (2014) Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere 99:19–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alqadami AA, Naushad M, ALOthman ZA, Alsuhybani M, Algamdi M (2019) Excellent adsorptive performance of a new nanocomposite for removal of toxic Pb(II) from aqueous environment: adsorption mechanism and modeling analysis. J Hazard Mater 389, 121896

  • Amen R, Bashir H, Bibi I, Shaheen SM, Niazi NK, Shahid M, Hussain MM, Antoniadis V, Shakoor MB, Al-Solaimani SG, Wang H, Bundschuh J, Rinklebe J (2020) A critical review on arsenic removal from water using biochar-based sorbents: the significance of modification and redox reactions. Chem Eng J 396:125195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arabi Z, Rinklebe J, El-Naggar A, Hou D, Sarmah AK, Moreno-Jimenez E (2021) (Im)mobilization of arsenic, chromium, and nickel in soils via biochar: a meta-analysis. Environ Pollut 286:117199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • 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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beiyuan J, Tsang DCW, Ok YS, Zhang W, Yang X, Baek K, Li XD (2016) Integrating EDDS-enhanced washing with low-cost stabilization of metal-contaminated soil from an e-waste recycling site. Chemosphere 159:426–432

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beiyuan J, Awad YM, Beckers F, Tsang DCW, Ok YS, Rinklebe J (2017a) Mobility and phytoavailability of As and Pb in a contaminated soil using pine sawdust biochar under systematic change of redox conditions. Chemosphere 178:110–118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beiyuan J, Li J, Tsang DCW, Wang L, Poon CS, Li XD, Fendorf S (2017b) Fate of arsenic before and after chemical-enhanced washing of an arsenic-containing soil in Hong Kong. Sci Total Environ 599-600:679–688

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benis KZ, Damuchali AM, Soltan J, McPhedran KN (2020) Treatment of aqueous arsenic - a review of biochar modification methods. Sci Total Environ 739:139750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolan N et al (2021) Multifunctional applications of biochar beyond carbon storage. Int Mater Rev 67:150–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborti D, Rahman MM, Das B, Nayak B, Pal A, Sengupta MK, Hossain MA, Ahamed S, Sahu M, Saha KC, Mukherjee SC, Pati S, Dutta RN, Quamruzzaman Q (2013) Groundwater arsenic contamination in Ganga-Meghna-Brahmaputra plain, its health effects and an approach for mitigation. Environ Earth Sci 70:1993–2008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen B, Chen Z, Lv S (2011) A novel magnetic biochar efficiently sorbs organic pollutants and phosphate. Bioresour Technol 102:716–723

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen H, Gao Y, El-Naggar A, Niazi NK, Sun C, Shaheen SM, Hou D, Yang X, Tang Z, Liu Z, Hou H, Chen W, Rinklebe J, Pohorely M, Wang H (2022) Enhanced sorption of trivalent antimony by chitosan-loaded biochar in aqueous solutions: characterization, performance and mechanisms. J Hazard Mater 425:127971

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui JL, Zhao YP, Li JS, Beiyuan J, Tsang DCW, Poon CS, Chan TS, Wang WX, Li XD (2018) Speciation, mobilization, and bioaccessibility of arsenic in geogenic soil profile from Hong Kong. Environ Pollut 232:375–384

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Das A, Mondal S (2021) Geomorphic controls on shallow groundwater arsenic contamination in Bengal basin, India. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28:42177–42195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Naggar A, Shaheen SM, Hseu ZY, Wang SL, Ok YS, Rinklebe J (2019) Release dynamics of As, Co, and Mo in a biochar treated soil under pre-definite redox conditions. Sci Total Environ 657:686–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Naggar A, Chang SX, Cai Y, Lee YH, Wang J, Wang SL, Ryu C, Rinklebe J, Sik Ok Y (2021) Mechanistic insights into the (im)mobilization of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc in a multi-contaminated soil treated with different biochars. Environ Int 156:106638

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fan J, Xu X, Ni Q, Lin Q, Fang J, Chen Q, Shen X, Lou L (2018) Enhanced As (V) removal from aqueous solution by biochar prepared from iron-impregnated corn straw. J Chem 2018:5137694

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh M, Pal DK, Santra SC (2020) Spatial map** and modeling of arsenic contamination of groundwater and risk assessment through geospatial interpolation technique. Environ Dev Sustain 22:2861–2880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo J, Yan C, Luo Z, Fang H, Hu S, Cao Y (2019) Synthesis of a novel ternary HA/Fe-Mn oxides-loaded biochar composite and its application in cadmium(II) and arsenic(V) adsorption. J Environ Sci 85:168–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He R, Peng Z, Lyu H, Huang H, Nan Q, Tang J (2018) Synthesis and characterization of an iron-impregnated biochar for aqueous arsenic removal. Sci Total Environ 612:1177–1186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herath I, Vithanage M, Bundschuh J, Maity JP, Bhattacharya P (2016) Natural arsenic in global groundwaters: distribution and geochemical triggers for mobilization. Curr Pollut Rep 2:68–89

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ippolito JA, Cui L, Kammann C, Wrage-Mönnig N, Estavillo JM, Fuertes-Mendizabal T, Cayuela ML, Sigua G, Novak J, Spokas K, Borchard N (2020) Feedstock choice, pyrolysis temperature and type influence biochar characteristics: a comprehensive meta-data analysis review. Biochar 2:421–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph T, Dubey B, McBean EA (2015) Human health risk assessment from arsenic exposures in Bangladesh. Sci Total Environ 527:552–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li JS, Wang L, Tsang DCW, Beiyuan J, Poon CS (2017) Dynamic leaching behavior of geogenic As in soils after cement-based stabilization/solidification. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 24:27822–27832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang T, Li L, Zhu C, Liu X, Li H, Su Q, Ye J, Geng B, Tian Y, Sardar MF, Huang X, Li F (2020) Adsorption of As(V) by the novel and efficient adsorbent cerium-manganese modified biochar. Water 12:2720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin L, Qiu W, Wang D, Huang Q, Song Z, Chau HW (2017) Arsenic removal in aqueous solution by a novel Fe-Mn modified biochar composite: Characterization and mechanism. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 144:514–521

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin MF, Nguyen NT, Chang CT, Chen PH (2019) Preparation of Fe-SBC from urban sludge for organic and inorganic arsenic removal. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 19:2658–2663

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Ren S, Cao J, Tsang DCW, Beiyuan J, Peng Y, Fa F, She J, Yin M, Shen N, Wang J (2020) Highly efficient removal of thallium in wastewater by MnFe2O4-biochar composite. J Hazard Mater 401:123311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu L, Zhao J, Liu X, Bai S, Lin H, Wang D (2021) Reduction and removal of As(V) in aqueous solution by biochar derived from nano zero-valent-iron (nZVI) and sewage sludge. Chemosphere 277:130273

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtsubo A (2018) Pollution and chronic arsenic poisoning associated with the operation of former Toroku Mine in Takachiho Town, Miyazaki Prefecture. Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi 73:275–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Podgorski J, Berg M (2020) Global threat of arsenic in groundwater. Science 368:845–850

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rabbani U, Mahar G, Siddique A, Fatmi Z (2017) Risk assessment for arsenic-contaminated groundwater along River Indus in Pakistan. Environ Geochem Health 39:179–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiber ME, Simo JA, Freiberg PG (2000) Stratigraphic and geochemical controls on naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater, eastern Wisconsin, USA. Hydrogeol J 8:161–176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siddiq OM, Tawabini BS, Soupios P, Ntarlagiannis D (2022) Removal of arsenic from contaminated groundwater using biochar: a technical review. Int J Environ Sci Technol 19:651–664

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang L, Yu J, Pang Y, Zeng G, Deng Y, Wang J, Ren X, Ye S, Peng B, Feng H (2018) Sustainable efficient adsorbent: alkali-acid modified magnetic biochar derived from sewage sludge for aqueous organic contaminant removal. Chem Eng J 336:160–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vithanage M, Herath I, Joseph S, Bundschuh J, Bolan N, Ok YS, Kirkham MB, Rinklebe J (2017) Interaction of arsenic with biochar in soil and water: a critical review. Carbon 113:219–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Gao B, Li Y, Mosa A, Zimmerman AR, Ma LQ, Harris WG, Migliaccio KW (2015) Manganese oxide-modified biochars: preparation, characterization, and sorption of arsenate and lead. Bioresour Technol 181:13–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Wang L, Wang Y, Tsang DCW, Yang X, Beiyuan J, Yin M, **ao T, Jiang Y, Lin W, Zhou Y, Liu J, Wang L, Zhao M (2021) Emerging risks of toxic metal(loid)s in soil-vegetables influenced by steel-making activities and isotopic source apportionment. Environ Int 146:106207

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wen Z, Zhang Y, Cheng G, Wang Y, Chen R (2019) Simultaneous removal of As(V)/Cr(VI) and acid orange 7 (AO7) by nanosized ordered magnetic mesoporous Fe-Ce bimetal oxides: Behavior and mechanism. Chemosphere 218:1002–1013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2017) Guidelines for drinking-water quality, 4th edn. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu L, Shu Z, Feng L, Zhou J, Li T, Zhao Z, Wang W (2022) Fresh biomass derived biochar with high-load zero-valent iron prepared in one step for efficient arsenic removal. J CleanProd 352:131616

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang X, Liu J, McGrouther K, Huang H, Lu K, Guo X, He L, Lin X, Che L, Ye Z, Wang H (2016) Effect of biochar on the extractability of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and enzyme activity in soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 23:974–984

  • Zhang F, Wang X, **onghui J, Ma L (2016) Efficient arsenate removal by magnetite-modified water hyacinth biochar. Environ Pollut 216:575–583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Y, Wang J, Wei X, Ren S, Yang X, Beiyuan J, Wei L, Liu J, She J, Zhang W, Liu Y, **ao T (2021) Escalating health risk of thallium and arsenic from farmland contamination fueled by cement-making activities: a hidden but significant source. Sci Total Environ 782:146603

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu T, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Liu J-L, Song X-L (2022) Synthesis of novel hydrated ferric oxide biochar nanohybrids for efficient arsenic removal from wastewater. Rare Metals 41:1677–1687

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

The authors appreciate the financial support by the Joint Fund of Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund of Guangdong Province, China (2019A1515110927), the National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China (42007142), and the Key Scientific and Technological Project of Foshan City (2120001008392). Wenbing Yuan acknowledges the Characteristic Innovation Research Project of University Teachers (2020XCC08) for financial support.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Man Xu and Yiyin Qin contributed in this work equally.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Guangdong, 528000, Foshan, China

    Man Xu, Yiyin Qin, Qiqi Huang, **gzi Beiyuan, Hai** Li, Wusen Chen, **aoying Wang, Shifei Wang, Fuguo Yang, Wenbing Yuan & Hailong Wang

  2. School of Food Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China

    Yiyin Qin & Qiqi Huang

  3. Foshan Engineering and Technology Research Center for Contaminated Soil Remediation, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, China

    **gzi Beiyuan & Fuguo Yang

Authors
  1. Man Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yiyin Qin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Qiqi Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. **gzi Beiyuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hai** Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Wusen Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. **aoying Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Shifei Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Fuguo Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Wenbing Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Hailong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

**gzi Beiyuan, Fuguo Yang, Wenbing Yuan, and Hailong Wang contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Man Xu, Yiyin Qin, Qiqi Huang, Hai** Li, Wusen Chen, **aoying Wang, and Shifei Wang. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Man Xu and Yiyin Qin; all authors commented on the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to **gzi Beiyuan.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

The authors all agreed to participate and publish our data here.

Consent to publish

Not applicable. The authors all agreed to participate and publish our data here.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Zhihong Xu

Publisher’s note

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

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor 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

Xu, M., Qin, Y., Huang, Q. et al. Arsenic adsorption by different Fe-enriched biochars conditioned with sulfuric acid. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 16398–16407 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23123-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23123-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation