Production strategies and potential repercussion of sewage sludge biochar as a futuristic paradigm toward environmental beneficiation: A comprehensive review

Abstract

The generation of sewage wastewater is unavoidable due to the continual increase in the global population that paves the way to appropriate disposal management. Sewage wastewater treatment and consequent generation of sewage sludge (SS) are well connected with global environmental issues. Upon risk assessment on different SS disposal methods, converting SS into biochar, that is, sewage sludge biochar, can be recommendable management. It is well‐proven for excellent positive impacts, such as nutrient enhancement, and healthier plant growth, and mitigates the emissions of greenhouse gases while amending with agricultural soil. However, the outcome features of SSB significantly vary with pyrolysis temperature and its elemental constituents. In addition, many studies revealed that the process temperature is key to responsible for the desirable properties and functioning of SSB. In this context, many countries support to the development of a futuristic strategy for SS management toward producing SSB and its utilization in agriculture. This review compiles studies into SSB's ability to promote a sustainable effect on the total worldwide output volume. Furthermore, the generation of SSB is also analyzed from a socioeconomic standpoint in relation to other common SS disposal management strategies.