ABSTRACT
Sediment enrichment with biochar, a high-carbon material produced by the pyrolysis of biomass, is a promising remediation strategy for metal pollution. The metal immobilization capacity of biochar can be explained by its porous structure, surface functional groups, pH greater than 7, and cation exchange capacity. However, the effectiveness in reducing metal bioavailability depends on the physicochemical characteristics of the biochar, which are strongly associated with the process conditions and feedstock. The aims of this study were to analyze the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the properties of biochars derived from different locally available biomass materials, biochar potential to adsorb Cr, and biochar phytotoxicity in seed germination. Poultry litter (PL), maize straw, the macrophyte Juncus imbricatus, and phytoremediation wastes from the macrophyte previously exposed to Cr were pyrolyzed into biochar at 300 °C and 600 °C. The properties and capacity of biochar to remove Cr from the aqueous phase were determined. Finally, a germination assay was performed to evaluate biochar phytotoxicity. Biochar yield decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, whereas ash content and pH increased. Biochar C content and total surface area increased with temperature. Biochar Cr removal capacity improved under the highest temperature, reaching a maximum sorption value of 13.7 mg g-1 Cr at 300 °C in PL biochar and of 42.6 mg g-1 Cr at 600 °C in J. imbricatus biochar. Despite the comparatively high metal content in the biochar, the germination indices of all biochars produced at 600 °C were higher than 80%, suggesting no phytotoxicity. Considering the metal sorption capacity and the phytotoxicity, biochars produced from J. imbricatus, PL, and phytoremediation residues at 600 °C were suitable for use in the removal of Cr from water. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:717-725. © 2022 SETAC.
Subject(s)
Chromium , Pyrolysis , Temperature , Charcoal/chemistry , WaterABSTRACT
We present a study of the hydration shells of some carbohydrate polymers of commercial and biological importance, namely, agave fructans, inulin, and maltodextrin, employing terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. We observe that the hydration numbers calculated using terahertz spectroscopy are marginally higher than those of the calorimetric values. We attribute this discrepancy to the definition of hydration number, which in a way correlates with the physical process used to quantify it. The aqueous solutions show a non-proportional increase in the absorption coefficient and the hydration number, with a decrease in the carbohydrate concentration. We demonstrate that this behavior is consistent with the "chaotropic" or "structure breaking" model of the hydration shell around the carbohydrates. In addition, the study reveals that agave fructans and inulin have good hydration ability. Given the high glass transition temperature and good hydration ability, these carbohydrates may behave as good bio-protectants and hydrating additives for food and beverages.
Subject(s)
Carbohydrates/chemistry , Polymers/chemistry , Agave/chemistry , Agave/metabolism , Calorimetry, Differential Scanning , Fructans/analysis , Fructans/chemistry , Light , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Terahertz SpectroscopyABSTRACT
Se describe un equipo isopiéstico para la determinación de los coeficientes osmóticos de soluciones acuosas, usando cloruro de sodio como sustancia de referencia a temperaturas de 288,15 K, 293,15 K y 298,15 K. Los tiempos de equilibrio estuvieron entre 12 y 20 días para concentraciones de 0,1 a 0,6 m. Los coeficientes osmóticos de las soluciones acuosas de KCl obtenidos a partir del método isopiéstico y los coeficientes de actividad calculados fueron comparados con datos de literatura.
An isopiestic apparatus for determination of osmotic coefficients of aqueous solutions using NaCl reference solutions is described. Measurements were made at 288,15 K, 293,15 K and 298,15 K. Equilibrium times between 12 and 20 days were required for molalities between 0,1 and 0,6 m. Osmotic coefficients of aqueous KCl solutions obtained by the isopiestic method and calculated activity coefficients are compared with literature data.