Screening of Sustainable Biochar Adsorbent for Iron Removal from Water

Biochar is regarded as a green material. It can also be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of multiple types of water contaminants, including heavy metals including iron. Iron is found in water, and it may create some operational challenges in the water supply system along with some gastrointestinal health disorders in human beings. Therefore, WHO and BIS have prescribed the limit for iron in drinking water, i.e. 0.3 mg/L (maximum). Further, in this study, locally available biomasses (rice husk, wheat straw, pea nutshell and Kalibasuti) were used to derive biochar adsorbents for the removal of iron from water samples. Out of these four biochar adsorbents, rice husk biochar adsorbent was found to be most effective (i.e. 79% removal) in the removal of iron from water as compared to other biochar adsorbents. Moreover, it is cheap (or freely available) natural agro-waste material that can be converted as a value-added product (i.e. biochar) for iron removal from water. Scanning Electron Microscopic image of the Rice husk biochar has shown the rough surface of the adsorbent that is considered as beneficial character for the adsorption process. Therefore, the present study can be the basis for designing extensive research on iron removal using sustainable adsorbents like Rice husk biochar.