Biochar and Zeolite Uses in Improving Immobilization of Nutrients and Pollutants in Soils

Biochar (BC) and zeolite (Z) were considered as highly suitable for soil remediation. In most cases, they are applied separately to improve capacity of soil sorption complex and other parameters of the soil environment. Both materials are usually characterized by developed surface and high porosity, which are essential for improving soil ability to accumulate ions and molecules. The presented literature review compares effects generated by biochars and zeolites on sorption capacity of different soil types towards metal ions (nutrients, heavy metals), pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other compounds taking into account the mechanisms of phenomena appearing after addition of the selected material. So far, numerous researchers have examined Bs and Zs as soil amendments, but only some of them have tested their simultaneous impact on the sorption of nutrients or pollutants. Similarly, the application of biochar/zeolites together with polymeric substances, such as polyacrylamide flocculants, has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, the second aim of the study was to assess the effect of complex modification, i.e., performed using two substances at the same time, on the sorption features of various soils. Such a treatment may be a solution when the impact of biochar or zeolite alone turns out to be unsatisfactory.

National Science Centre, Poland - grant no. 2021/41/B/NZ9/03059

The deposited file is a preprint of the article: Kukowska, S., & Szewczuk-Karpisz, K. (2024). Biochar and Zeolite Uses in Improving Immobilization of Nutrients and Pollutants in Soils. Separation & Purification Reviews, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15422119.2024.2426157