The Role of Biochar in Soil Remediation Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Biochar application for soil remediation such as pollution of organic/inorganic pollutants and even non-point source pollution of sediments and nutrients in watersheds have been attracting great interest in the last decade. Moreover, biochar has proved to be effective in improving soil properties and increasing crop biomass. The use of biochar facilitates nutrient availability; enhances microbial activity, soil organic matter availability, and water holding; and enhances crop production of soils. Regarding pollution control, biochars have excellent potential to adsorb the contaminants from soil solution and make them unavailable to organisms. It has also been suggested that it can even enhance crop resistance to disease. Biochar is the charred organic matter formed under high heat and low oxygen conditions that occur in natural fires and modern pyrolysis systems. Biochars have various properties for the remediation of polluted soils and moderation of soil degradation, including high pH, negative charge, large surface area, and are rich in carbon and potassium, etc. Biochars have various properties for the remediation of polluted soils which include negative charge and large surface area. Various methods come under the biochar technique, including carbon sequestration, nutrient exchange, water holding, adsorption/absorption, and oxidation/reduction. However, the interaction mechanisms between soils and biochars during remediation processes depend on soil types and biochar types. Furthermore, the long-term and large-scale designs are still rare now. Apart from this, economic estimations and optimization should be taken into consideration for biochar application. Also, various other public health-related concerns associated with biochar use should be addressed properly in order to establish biochar as a best alternative to other soil remediation methods, in future.

This Special Issue on “The Role of Biochar in Soil Remediation Processes” seeks high-quality research and case studies focusing on the remediation efficiency and interaction mechanisms of biochars in polluted soils. Topics include, but are not limited to the following:

• Removal of contamination and sustainable approaches to remediation
• Remediation processes and technologies by biochar application
• Novel methods of characterization, treatment, and monitoring

Prof. Dr. Shih-Hao Jien
Guest Editor

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