Arsenic, Iron, and Manganese Adsorption in Single and Trinary Heavy Metal Solution Systems by Bamboo-Derived Biochars

Currently, heavy metal-contaminated groundwater is an environmental concern. This
study investigated the use of bamboo biochar, chitosan-impregnated biochar, and iron-impregnated
biochar for arsenic, iron, and manganese removal from groundwater. Isotherms of arsenic, iron,
and manganese adsorption by bamboo derived biochar were compared with those of commercial
activated carbon in simulated groundwater composed of single and trinary heavy metal solutions.
The binding of heavy metals by virgin and loaded bamboo biochar and activated carbon was also
investigated by sequential extraction. Chitosan and iron-impregnated biochar had enhanced arsenic
adsorption, but these sorbents turned the pH of solution acidic, while it was alkaline for activated
carbon. Adsorption equilibrium times of arsenic and iron were faster for single than trinary heavy
metal systems because less ion competition occurred at active sites. The Langmuir model fitted
the adsorption data well. The maximum adsorption capacities of arsenic, iron, and manganese by
bamboo biochar in trinary heavy metal system were 2.2568, 0.6393, and 1.3541 mg g-1, respectively.
The main mechanism for arsenic removal was precipitation with iron. Bamboo biochar bound iron in
organic and sulfide fractions and manganese with iron-oxide. Bamboo biochar can replace activated
carbon as a more efficient and sustainable carbonaceous sorbent material for removal of mixed heavy
metals from groundwater within acceptable pH ranges.