Biochar-augmented biofilters to improve pollutant removal from stormwater – can they improve receiving water quality?

Boehm, Alexandria B.; Bell, Colin D.; Fitzgerald, Nicole J. M.; Gallo, Elizabeth; Higgins, Christopher; Hogue, T. S.; Luthy, Richard G.; Portmann, Andrea; Ulrich, Bridget A.; Wolfand, Jordyn M.

doi:10.1039/d0ew00027b

Cited by 49 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 120 publications

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“…It has been widely reported that biochar can be used directly as a renewable energy source [2], as a soil amendment to improve fertility [3] and control soil greenhouse gas emission [4,5], and as a filter media for wastewater treatment [6]. The process of making biochar produces less air pollution than the open burning of agricultural residues in fields, which can emit noxious gases (CO, SOx, NOx) and smoke particles carrying carcinogen substances [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of Biochar Derived from Agricultural Residues for Sustainable Management

et al. 2021

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A horizontal drum kiln is a traditional method widely used in Southeast Asian countries for producing biochar. An understanding of temperature conditions in the kiln and its influence on biochar properties is crucial for identifying suitable biochar applications. In this study, four agricultural residues (corncob, coconut husk, coconut shell, and rice straw) were used for drum kiln biochar production. The agricultural residues were turned into biochar within 100–200 min, depending on their structures. The suitability of biochar for briquette fuels was analyzed using proximate, ultimate, and elemental analysis. The biochar’s physical and chemical properties were characterized via bulk density, iodine number, pHpzc, SEM, and FTIR measurements. All biochars had low O/C and H/C ratios and negative charge from both carbonyl and hydroxyl groups. Coconut husk and shell biochar had desirable properties such as high heating value and a high amount of surface functional groups which can interact with nutrients in soil. These biochars are thus suitable for use for a variety of purposes including as biofuels, adsorbents, and as soil amendments.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of Biochar Derived from Agricultural Residues for Sustainable Management

et al. 2021

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“…As illustrated in Figure 1a, these vertically oriented systems filter water through planted soil or sand‐based media and are easily integrated into the urban landscape over a range of scales (Grant et al., 2013; Roy‐Poirier et al., 2010; Wong, 2006). Their possible features include: (1) a ponding zone that retains water prior to infiltration; (2) biological components including upright vegetation and naturally colonizing soil invertebrates and microorganisms; (3) engineered filter media (sand, sandy loam, or loamy sand with or without media amendments [e.g., biochar; Boehm et al., 2020; Mohanty & Boehm, 2014]); (4) a coarse sand transition layer; (5) a drainage layer consisting of coarse sand or fine gravel which can be lined or unlined and with or without an underdrain; (6) an overflow structure that releases excess storm water; and (7) a raised outlet to facilitate the formation of a permanently wet “submerged zone” (Clar et al., 2004; A. P. Davis et al, 2009; H. Kim et al., 2003; Payne et al., 2015; Rippy, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(3) engineered filter media (sand, sandy loam, or loamy sand with or without media amendments [e.g., biochar; Boehm et al, 2020;Mohanty & Boehm, 2014]); (4) a coarse sand transition layer; (5) a drainage layer consisting of coarse sand or fine gravel which can be lined or unlined and with or without an underdrain; (6) an overflow structure that releases excess storm water; and (7) a raised outlet to facilitate the formation of a permanently wet "submerged zone" (Clar et al, 2004;A. P. Davis et al, 2009; H. Kim et al, 2003;Payne et al, 2015;Rippy, 2015).…”

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confidence: 99%

Predicting Solute Transport Through Green Stormwater Infrastructure With Unsteady Transit Time Distribution Theory

Parker

Grant

Cao³

et al. 2021

Water Resources Research

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In this study, we explore the use of unsteady transit time distribution (TTD) theory to model solute transport in biofilters, a popular form of nature‐based or “green” storm water infrastructure (GSI). TTD theory has the potential to address many unresolved challenges associated with predicting pollutant fate and transport through these systems, including unsteadiness in the water balance (time‐varying inflows, outflows, and storage), unsteadiness in pollutant loading, time‐dependent reactions, and scale‐up to GSI networks and urban catchments. From a solution to the unsteady age conservation equation under uniform sampling, we derive an explicit expression for solute breakthrough during and after one or more storm events. The solution is calibrated and validated with breakthrough data from 17 simulated storms at a field‐scale biofilter test facility in Southern California, using bromide as a conservative tracer. TTD theory closely reproduces bromide breakthrough concentrations, provided that lateral exchange with the surrounding soil is accounted for. At any given time, according to theory, more than half of the water in storage is from the most recent storm, while the rest is a mixture of penultimate and earlier storms. Thus, key management endpoints, such as the pollutant treatment credit attributable to GSI, are likely to depend on the evolving age distribution of water stored and released by these systems.

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“…Researchers have studied the use of engineered geomedia, such as manganese oxide-coated sands ( Charbonnet et al., 2020 ; Grebel et al., 2016 ), woodchips ( Ashoori et al., 2019 ), functionalized clays ( Ray et al., 2019 ) and biochar ( Ashoori et al., 2019 ; Boehm et al., 2020 ; Ulrich et al., 2015 ) as a passive means of stormwater treatment. However, such treatment systems are often limited by the low hydraulic conductivities of geomedia or underlying soils and sediments ( Barnes et al., 2014 ; Minnesota Stormwater Steering Committee 2005 ; Ray et al., 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An electrochemical advanced oxidation process for the treatment of urban stormwater

Duan

Sedlak

2021

Water Research X

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Highlights Pre-production of concentrated H 2 O 2 before treatment reduced the system footprint. System design was optimized based on H 2 O 2 generation, storage, and activation. Optimization reduced cost and footprint of electrochemical stormwater treatment.

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Biochar-augmented biofilters to improve pollutant removal from stormwater – can they improve receiving water quality?

Abstract: Stormwater biofilters are being implemented widely in urban environments to provide green space, alleviate flooding, and improve stormwater quality.

Cited by 49 publications

References 120 publications

Potential of Biochar Derived from Agricultural Residues for Sustainable Management

Potential of Biochar Derived from Agricultural Residues for Sustainable Management

Predicting Solute Transport Through Green Stormwater Infrastructure With Unsteady Transit Time Distribution Theory

An electrochemical advanced oxidation process for the treatment of urban stormwater

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