ABSTRACT
The organic and the inorganic contaminants found in wastewater are primarily due to different industrial actions, resulting in high level of environmental contamination. Considering the persistent characteristics of wastewater contaminants and the high toxicity, sequestration before being released into the environment has become a prime obligation. The conventional treatment methods are mostly linked with the limitations of energy-intensive conditions, thereby requiring higher investments. Among the various available techniques, adsorption has proven to be a highly efficient and cost-effective technique for wastewater treatment. Biochar has been recognized as a promising and low-cost material, which can be synthesized from different carbonaceous materials having diverse compositions, origins, and processing methods. Consequently, the reaction between the adsorbate species and biochar is not simple and may consist of several adsorption mechanisms, namely, electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interactions, surface complexation, pore filling, coprecipitation, and hydrogen bonding interactions. Moreover, operational parameters such as pH, temperature, contact time, and feed flow rate can also influence the performance of the adsorption process. However, the fabrication of biochar as a competitive adsorbent material is based on standardization, regulation, application, and continuous supply. Thus, this chapter discusses different biochar modifications, adsorption mechanisms, operating conditions affecting the adsorption process, and its application in removing both the organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater.
