Advances in Biochar-Mediated Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from Water
A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Separations".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 December 2025 | Viewed by 34
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass pyrolysis, has emerged as a multifunctional agent for addressing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollution in aquatic systems. This Special Issue synthesizes cutting-edge research on biochar-mediated N/P removal mechanisms, focusing on its dual role as an adsorbent, catalyst, and microbial habitat enhancer.
Recent studies highlight biochar’s capacity to immobilize ammonium (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) through electrostatic interactions, surface complexation, and pore confinement, while simultaneously trapping phosphate (PO₄³⁻) via ligand exchange and precipitation with embedded metal oxides (e.g., Fe, Ca, Mg). Engineered biochars, modified through chemical activation, heteroatom doping, or nanomaterial hybridization (e.g., Fe₃O₄@biochar), demonstrate enhanced selectivity and kinetics for nutrient recovery.
Critically, biochar fosters microbial denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction by serving as an electron shuttle or donor, significantly suppressing N₂O emissions. Synergistic coupling with phytoremediation or constructed wetlands further amplifies nutrient uptake efficiency in complex wastewater matrices. However, challenges persist in balancing biochar’s long-term stability, ecological risks (e.g., heavy metal leaching), and scalability for field applications.
This issue also explores lifecycle assessments (LCA) and techno-economic analyses to evaluate the sustainability of biochar-based systems across diverse water treatment scenarios.
This collection integrates mechanistic insights, material innovations, and practical applications to advance biochar-based technologies for eutrophication control, urban runoff management, industrial effluent treatment, and agricultural resource circularity.
Dr. Chaoxu Wang
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- nitrogen (N)
- phosphorus (P)
- biochar
- adsorption
- redox catalysis
- denitrification
- N2O emission
- wastewater treatment
- eutrophication mitigation
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