Synthesis of Functionalized Biochar for Phosphate Recovery from Eutrophic Water and its Subsequent Utilization as a P-based Fertilizer for Plant Growth

Abstract

The excess in release of phosphates into aquatic ecosystems from various human sources has caused widespread eutrophication creating significant environmental challenges. In response to this issue, our study aims to address it by developing a new approach to recover phosphates from eutrophic water through the use of functionalized biochar. This recovered phosphate can then be utilized as a fertilizer for plant growth. Our method involves modifying biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse with specific functional groups capable of capturing and retaining phosphate ions efficiently. To analyze the characteristics of the modified biochar, we employed scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques. The results demonstrate that using 4 g/L dosage of biochar achieves an optimal adsorption capacity of around 80.25%. By providing a sustainable and integrated approach to phosphate recovery and simultaneously addressing water pollution issues our study offers both an effective solution and a valuable resource for agricultural applications. Incorporating functionalized biochar as a P based fertilizer provides an encouraging avenue for sustainable agriculture practices. By decreasing dependence on conventional chemical fertilizers and addressing concerns related to phosphate pollution it offers an effective solution. Further research could potentially emphasize the optimization of the synthesis process as well as the expansion of production at a larger scale, and find the significant impacts of utilization of bio char on health of soil, its nourishment, and sustainability of ecosystem.