Organic and inorganic contaminants removal from water with biochar, a renewable, low cost and sustainable adsorbent – A critical review

Pyrolysis of Wood/Biomass for Bio-oil: A Critical Review

Mohan, D., Pittman, C. U., & Steele, P. H. (2006) · Energy & Fuels · doi:10.1021/ef0502397 · Cited by 5,663

Biochar effects on soil biota – A review

Lehmann, J., Rillig, M. C., Thies, J., Masiello, C. A., Hockaday, W. C., & Crowley, D. (2011) · Soil Biology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.04.022 · Cited by 5,074

Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: A review

Ahmad, M., Rajapaksha, A. U., Lim, J. E., Zhang, M., Bolan, N., Mohan, D., Vithanage, M., Lee, S. S., & Ok, Y. S. (2014) · Chemosphere · doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.071 · Cited by 4,662

Arsenic removal from water/wastewater using adsorbents—A critical review

Mohan, D., & Pittman, C. U. (2007) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.01.006 · Cited by 3,536

Bio-char Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems – A Review

Lehmann, J., Gaunt, J., & Rondon, M. (2006) · Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change · doi:10.1007/s11027-005-9006-5 · Cited by 3,053

Biochar for environmental management: science and technology

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Overview of Applications of Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oil

Czernik, S., & Bridgwater, A. (2004) · Energy & Fuels · doi:10.1021/ef034067u · Cited by 2,880

Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change

Woolf, D., Amonette, J. E., Street-Perrott, F. A., Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2010) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/ncomms1053 · Cited by 2,680

A handful of carbon

Lehmann, J. (2007) · Nature · doi:10.1038/447143a · Cited by 2,477

Biochar for Environmental Management: Science and Technology

Lehmann, J., & Joseph, S. (2009) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781849770552 · Cited by 2,324

Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass residuals: A comparative review of the chemistry, processes and applications of wet and dry pyrolysis

Libra, J. A., Ro, K. S., Kammann, C., Funke, A., Berge, N. D., Neubauer, Y., Titirici, M.-M., Fühner, C., Bens, O., Kern, J., et al. (2011) · Biofuels · doi:10.4155/bfs.10.81 · Cited by 1,756

The Art, Science, and Technology of Charcoal Production

Antal, M. J., & Grønli, M. (2003) · Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · doi:10.1021/ie0207919 · Cited by 1,623

Effects of pyrolysis temperature on soybean stover-and peanut shell-derived biochar properties and TCE adsorption in water

Ahmad, M., Lee, S. S., Dou, X., Mohan, D., Sung, J.-K., Yang, J. E., & Ok, Y. S. (2012) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.05.042 · Cited by 1,357

Dairy-Manure Derived Biochar Effectively Sorbs Lead and Atrazine

Cao, X., Ma, L., Gao, B., & Harris, W. (2009) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es803092k · Cited by 1,251

Compositions and sorptive properties of crop residue-derived chars

Chun, Y., Sheng, G., Chiou, C. T., & Xing, B. (2004) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es035034w · Cited by 1,079

Adsorption of copper and zinc by biochars produced from pyrolysis of hardwood and corn straw in aqueous solution

Chen, X., Chen, G., Chen, L., Chen, Y., Lehmann, J. C., McBride, M. B., & Hay, A. G. (2011) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.06.078 · Cited by 1,041

A novel magnetic biochar efficiently sorbs organic pollutants and phosphate

Chen, B., Chen, Z., & Lv, S. (2011) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2010.08.067 · Cited by 1,026

Sorption of arsenic, cadmium, and lead by chars produced from fast pyrolysis of wood and bark during bio-oil production

Mohan, D., Pittman, C. U., Bricka, M., Smith, F., Yancey, B., Mohammad, J., Steele, P. H., Alexandre-Franco, M. F., Gómez-Serrano, V., & Gong, H. (2007) · Journal of Colloid and Interface Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2007.01.020 · Cited by 973

Characterization of biochar from fast pyrolysis and gasification systems

Brewer, C. E., Schmidt‐Rohr, K., Satrio, J. A., & Brown, R. C. (2009) · Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy · doi:10.1002/ep.10378 · Cited by 868

Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution by biochars derived from anaerobically digested biomass

Inyang, M., Gao, B., Yao, Y., Xue, Y., Zimmerman, A. R., Pullammanappallil, P. C., & Cao, X. (2012) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.072 · Cited by 819

Removal of lead from water using biochars prepared from hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass

Liu, Z., & Zhang, F.-S. (2009) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.01.085 · Cited by 710

Synthesis of porous MgO-biochar nanocomposites for removal of phosphate and nitrate from aqueous solutions

Zhang, M., Gao, B., Yao, Y., Xue, Y., & Inyang, M. (2012) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2012.08.052 · Cited by 699

Preparation and characterization of a novel magnetic biochar for arsenic removal

Zhang, M., Gao, B., Varnoosfaderani, S. S., Hebard, A. F., Yao, Y., & Inyang, M. (2012) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.11.132 · Cited by 688

Kinetic and adsorptive characterization of biochar in metal ions removal

Kołodyńska, D., Wnętrzak, R., Leahy, J. J., Hayes, M. H. B., Kwapiński, W., & Hubicki, Z. (2012) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2012.05.025 · Cited by 683

Sorption of naphthalene and 1-naphthol by biochars of orange peels with different pyrolytic temperatures

Chen, B., & Chen, Z. (2009) · Chemosphere · doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.02.004 · Cited by 654

Quantifying the Total and Bioavailable Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Dioxins in Biochars

Hale, S. E., Lehmann, J., Rutherford, D., Zimmerman, A. R., Bachmann, R. T., Shitumbanuma, V., O’Toole, A., Sundqvist, K. L., Arp, H. P. H., & Cornelissen, G. (2012) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es203984k · Cited by 634

Removal of Cu, Zn, and Cd from aqueous solutions by the dairy manure-derived biochar

Xu, X., Cao, X., Zhao, L., Wang, H., Yu, H., & Gao, B. (2012) · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · doi:10.1007/s11356-012-0873-5 · Cited by 621

Removal of phosphate from aqueous solution by biochar derived from anaerobically digested sugar beet tailings

Yao, Y., Gao, B., Inyang, M., Zimmerman, A. R., Cao, X., Pullammanappallil, P., & Yang, L. (2011) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.03.083 · Cited by 614

Characteristics and mechanisms of hexavalent chromium removal by biochar from sugar beet tailing

Dong, X., Ma, L. Q., & Li, Y. (2011) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.04.008 · Cited by 613

Cadmium and lead remediation using magnetic oak wood and oak bark fast pyrolysis bio-chars

Mohan, D., Kumar, H., Sarswat, A., Alexandre-Franco, M. F., & Pittman, C. U. (2013) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2013.09.057 · Cited by 596

Removal of copper and cadmium from aqueous solution using switchgrass biochar produced via hydrothermal carbonization process

Regmi, P., Garcia Moscoso, J. L., Kumar, S., Cao, X., Mao, J., & Schafran, G. (2012) · Journal of Environmental Management · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.04.047 · Cited by 557

Modeling and evaluation of chromium remediation from water using low cost bio-char, a green adsorbent

Mohan, D., Rajput, S., Singh, V. K., Steele, P. H., & Pittman, C. U. J. (2011) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.01.127 · Cited by 550

Characterization and application of chars produced from pinewood pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatment

Liu, Z., Zhang, F.-S., & Wu, J. (2010) · Fuel · doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2009.08.042 · Cited by 545

Catechol and Humic Acid Sorption onto a Range of Laboratory-Produced Black Carbons (Biochars)

Kasozi, G. N., Zimmerman, A. R., Nkedi-Kizza, P., & Gao, B. (2010) · Environmental Science & Technology · doi:10.1021/es1014423 · Cited by 509

Adsorption of Cu(II) by biochars generated from three crop straws

Tong, X., Li, J.-Y., Yuan, J.-H., & Xu, R. (2011) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2011.06.069 · Cited by 506

Removal of arsenic, methylene blue, and phosphate by biochar/AlOOH nanocomposite

Zhang, M., & Gao, B. (2013) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2013.04.077 · Cited by 456

Adsorption of methyl violet from aqueous solutions by the biochars derived from crop residues

Xu, R., Xiao, S., Yuan, J.-H., & Zhao, A. (2011) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.08.089 · Cited by 447

Biochar, climate change and soil: a review to guide future research

Sohi, S.-C. (2009) · CSIRO · doi:10.4225/08/58597219a199a · Cited by 424

Trichloroethylene adsorption by pine needle biochars produced at various pyrolysis temperatures

Ahmad, M., Lee, S. S., Rajapaksha, A. U., Vithanage, M. S., Zhang, M., Cho, J.-S., Lee, S., & Ok, Y. S. (2013) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.06.033 · Cited by 392

Batch adsorption of basic dye using acid treated kenaf fibre char: Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Mahmoud, D. K., Salleh, M. A. M., Ghani, W. A. W. A. K., Idris, A. B., & Abidin, Z. Z. (2011) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2011.11.116 · Cited by 390

Sorption of bisphenol A, 17α-ethinyl estradiol and phenanthrene on thermally and hydrothermally produced biochars

Sun, K., Ro, K. S., Guo, M., Novak, J., Mashayekhi, H., & Xing, B. (2011) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.03.038 · Cited by 384

Synthesis, characterization, and dye sorption ability of carbon nanotube–biochar nanocomposites

Inyang, M., Gao, B., Zimmerman, A. R., Zhang, M., & Chen, H. (2013) · Chemical Engineering Journal · doi:10.1016/j.cej.2013.09.074 · Cited by 374

Adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions on biochars prepared from agricultural by-products

Pellera, F.-M., Giannis, A., Kalderis, D., Anastassiadou, K., Stegmann, R., Wang, J., & Gidarakos, E. (2011) · Journal of Environmental Management · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.10.010 · Cited by 364

Steam and KOH activation of biochar: Experimental and modeling studies

Azargohar, R., & Dalai, A. K. (2008) · Microporous and Mesoporous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.micromeso.2007.06.047 · Cited by 345

Effectiveness and mechanisms of dye adsorption on a straw-based biochar

Qiu, Y., Zheng, Z., Zhou, Z., & Sheng, G. D. (2009) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2009.05.054 · Cited by 342

Preparation of high adsorption capacity bio-chars from waste biomass

Liu, W., Zeng, F.-X., Jiang, H. T., & Zhang, X. (2011) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2011.06.014 · Cited by 308

Heavy metal and phenol adsorptive properties of biochars from pyrolyzed switchgrass and woody biomass in correlation with surface properties

Han, Y., Boateng, A. A., Qi, P. X., Lima, I. M., & Chang, J. (2013) · Journal of Environmental Management · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.01.001 · Cited by 279

Production of activated carbon from Luscar char: Experimental and modeling studies

Azargohar, R., & Dalai, A. K. (2005) · Microporous and Mesoporous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.micromeso.2005.06.018 · Cited by 266

Enhanced Lead Sorption by Biochar Derived from Anaerobically Digested Sugarcane Bagasse

Inyang, M., Gao, B., Ding, W., Pullammanappallil, P., Zimmerman, A. R., & Cao, X. (2011) · Separation Science and Technology · doi:10.1080/01496395.2011.584604 · Cited by 265

Chemical evaluation of chars produced by thermochemical conversion (gasification, pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization) of agro-industrial biomass on a commercial scale

Wiedner, K., Rumpel, C., Steiner, C., Pozzi, A., Maas, R., & Glaser, B. (2013) · Biomass and Bioenergy · doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.08.026 · Cited by 260

Fluoride Removal from Water using Bio-Char, a Green Waste, Low-Cost Adsorbent: Equilibrium Uptake and Sorption Dynamics Modeling

Mohan, D., Sharma, R. M., Singh, V. K., Steele, P. H., & Pittman, C. U. (2011) · Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · doi:10.1021/ie202189v · Cited by 259

Kinetics and equilibrium studies of malachite green adsorption on rice straw-derived char

Hameed, B. H., & El‐Khaiary, M. I. (2007) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.09.019 · Cited by 250

Synthesis, characterization, and environmental implications of graphene-coated biochar

Zhang, M., Gao, B., Yao, Y., Xue, Y., & Inyang, M. (2012) · The Science of The Total Environment · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.07.038 · Cited by 235

Cosorption of Phenanthrene and Mercury(II) from Aqueous Solution by Soybean Stalk-Based Biochar

Kong, H., He, J., Gao, Y., Wu, H., & Zhu, X. (2011) · Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · doi:10.1021/jf202924a · Cited by 214

Evaluation of adsorption potential of bamboo biochar for metal-complex dye: equilibrium, kinetics and artificial neural network modeling

Yang, Y., Lin, X., Wei, B., Zhao, Y., & Wang, J. (2013) · International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology · doi:10.1007/s13762-013-0306-0 · Cited by 183

Multiple Controls on the Chemical and Physical Structure of Biochars

Sun, H. R., Hockaday, W. C., Masiello, C. A., & Zygourakis, K. (2012) · Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · doi:10.1021/ie201309r · Cited by 171

Activated carbon from biochar: Influence of its physicochemical properties on the sorption characteristics of phenanthrene

Park, J., Hung, I., Gan, Z., Rojas, O. J., Lim, K. H., & Park, S. (2013) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.09.085 · Cited by 170

Physicochemical properties of biochar produced from aerobically composted swine manure and its potential use as an environmental amendment

Meng, J., Wang, L., Liu, X., Wu, J., Brookes, P. C., & Xu, J. M. (2013) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.05.086 · Cited by 169

Physicochemical and adsorptive properties of fast‐pyrolysis bio‐chars and their steam activated counterparts

Lima, I. M., Boateng, A. A., & Klasson, K. T. (2010) · Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · doi:10.1002/jctb.2461 · Cited by 164

Biochar As a Precursor of Activated Carbon

Azargohar, R., & Dalai, A. K. (2006) · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology · doi:10.1385/abab:131:1:762 · Cited by 158

Hydrogel–Biochar composites for effective organic contaminant removal from aqueous media

Karakoyun, N., Kubilay, Ş., Aktaş, N., Turhan, O., Kasımoğlu, M., Yilmaz, S., & Şahiner, N. (2011) · Desalination · doi:10.1016/j.desal.2011.07.014 · Cited by 128

Statistical optimization and kinetic studies on removal of Zn2+ using functionalized carbon nanotubes and magnetic biochar

Mubarak, N. M., Alicia, R. F., Abdullah, E. C., Sahu, J. N., Bakar, A. H. A., & Tan, J. (2013) · Journal of environmental chemical engineering · doi:10.1016/j.jece.2013.06.011 · Cited by 123

Simultaneous removal of cadmium and sulfamethoxazole from aqueous solution by rice straw biochar

Han, X., Liang, C., Li, T., Wang, K., Huang, H., & Yang, X. (2013) · Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B · doi:10.1631/jzus.b1200353 · Cited by 118

Dye adsorption onto char from bamboo

Mui, E. L. K., Cheung, W. H., Valix, M., & McKay, G. (2010) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.01.018 · Cited by 114

Effect of pH Conditions on Actual and Apparent Fluoride Adsorption by Biochar in Aqueous Phase

Oh, T., Choi, B.-S., Shinogi, Y., & Chikushi, J. (2012) · Water Air & Soil Pollution · doi:10.1007/s11270-012-1144-2 · Cited by 100

Characterization and Thermal Conversion of Charcoal Derived from Fluidized-Bed Fast Pyrolysis Oil Production of Switchgrass

Boateng, A. A. (2007) · Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · doi:10.1021/ie071054l · Cited by 86

Buffalo weed (Ambrosia trifida L. var. trifida) biochar for cadmium (II) and lead (II) adsorption in single and mixed system

Yakkala, K., Yu, M.-R., Roh, H., Yang, J., & Chang, Y. (2013) · Desalination and Water Treatment · doi:10.1080/19443994.2013.792546 · Cited by 86

Activated biochar removes 100 % dibromochloropropane from field well water

Klasson, K. T., Ledbetter, C. A., Uchimiya, M., & Lima, I. M. (2013) · Environmental Chemistry Letters · doi:10.1007/s10311-012-0398-7 · Cited by 74

Cr(III) adsorption by sugarcane pulp residue and biochar

Yang, Z.-H., Xiong, S., Wang, B., Li, Q., & Wu, Y. (2013) · Journal of Central South University · doi:10.1007/s11771-013-1618-4 · Cited by 61

Biochar As a Precursor of Activated Carbon

Azargohar, R., & Dalai, A. K. (2007) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59745-268-7_62 · Cited by 55

Production of char from hornbeam sawdust and its performance evaluation in the dye removal

Ateş, F., & Ün, Ü. T. (2013) · Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis · doi:10.1016/j.jaap.2013.01.021 · Cited by 50

Cr（III） adsorption by sugarcane pulp residue and biochar

杨志辉, 熊珊, BING, W., 李倩, & 杨卫春 (2013) · Acta Scientiarum Naturalium Universitatis Sunyatseni · Cited by 38

Economics of Thermochemical Conversion of Crop Residue to Liquid Transportation Fuel

Manganaro, J. L., & Lawal, A. (2012) · Energy & Fuels · doi:10.1021/ef3001967 · Cited by 24

A comparative study of aerobically digested and undigested sludge in preparation of magnetic chars and their application in 1-diazo-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid adsorption

Gu, L., Zhu, N., Zhang, D., Lou, Z., Yuan, H., & Zhou, P. (2013) · Bioresource Technology · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2013.02.120 · Cited by 19

Heavy Metals as Main Pollutants of the Next Century

Davydova, S. L. (1998) · Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry · doi:10.1080/10408349891199239 · Cited by 14

Pharmaceuticals of Emerging Concern in Aquatic Systems: Chemistry, Occurrence, Effects, and Removal Methods

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Preparation, modification and environmental application of biochar: A review

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Lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis: A review of product properties and effects of pyrolysis parameters

Kan, T., Strezov, V., & Evans, T. J. (2016) · Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.185 · Cited by 2,239

Mechanisms of metal sorption by biochars: Biochar characteristics and modifications

Li, H., Dong, X., da Silva, E. B., de Oliveira, L. M., Chen, Y., & Ma, L. Q. (2017) · Chemosphere · doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.03.072 · Cited by 1,888

Development of biochar-based functional materials: toward a sustainable platform carbon material

Liu, W.-J., Jiang, H., & Yu, H.-Q. (2015) · Chemical Reviews · doi:10.1021/acs.chemrev.5b00195 · Cited by 1,754

Decontamination of Inorganic and Organic Compounds from Wastewater Using Biochar

Nayani, V., Prabhu, A., Lakkakula, J., & Wagh, N. S. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-92594-8_10 · Cited by 1

A critical review of mechanisms involved in the adsorption of organic and inorganic contaminants through biochar

Abbas, Z., Ali, S., Rizwan, M., Zaheer, I. E., Malik, A., Riaz, M. A., Shahid, M. R., Rehman, M. Z. U., & Al-Wabel, M. I. (2018) · Arabian Journal of Geosciences · doi:10.1007/s12517-018-3790-1 · Cited by 236

Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: A review

Ahmad, M., Rajapaksha, A. U., Lim, J. E., Zhang, M., Bolan, N., Mohan, D., Vithanage, M., Lee, S. S., & Ok, Y. S. (2014) · Chemosphere · doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.071 · Cited by 4,662

Preparation and Application of Biochars for Organic and Microbial Control in Wastewater Treatment Regimes

Shikuku, V. O., Nyairo, W. N., & Kowenje, C. O. (2018) · Advances in environmental engineering and green technologies book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-5754-8.ch002 · Cited by 4

Novel insights into the adsorption of organic contaminants by biochar: A review

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