Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent

Linyan Zhu; Suhana Chattopadhyay; Oluwasegun Elijah Akanbi; Steven Lobo; Suraj Panthi; Leena Malayil; Hillary A. Craddock; Sarah M. Allard; Manan Sharma; Kalmia E. Kniel; Emmanuel F. Mongodin; Pei C. Chiu; Amir Sapkota; Amy R. Sapkota

doi:10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y

Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent

Linyan Zhu, Suhana Chattopadhyay, Oluwasegun Elijah Akanbi, Steven Lobo, Suraj Panthi, Leena Malayil, Hillary A. Craddock, Sarah M. Allard, Manan Sharma, Kalmia E. Kniel, Emmanuel F. Mongodin, Pei C. Chiu, Amir Sapkota, Amy R. Sapkota^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Advanced treated municipal wastewater is an important alternative water source for agricultural irrigation. However, the possible persistence of chemical and microbiological contaminants in these waters raise potential safety concerns with regard to reusing treated wastewater for food crop irrigation. Two low-cost and environmentally-friendly filter media, biochar (BC) and zero-valent iron (ZVI), have attracted great interest in terms of treating reused water. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of BC-, nanosilver-amended biochar- (Ag-BC) and ZVI-sand filters, in reducing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total bacterial diversity from wastewater effluent. Six experiments were conducted with control quartz sand and sand columns containing BC, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI, or Ag-BC with ZVI. After filtration, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI demonstrated more than 90% (> 1 log) removal of E. coli from wastewater samples, while BC, Ag-BC, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI also demonstrated efficient removal of tested CECs. Lower bacterial diversity was also observed after filtration; however, differences were marginally significant. In addition, significantly (p < 0.05) higher bacterial diversity was observed in wastewater samples collected during warmer versus colder months. Leaching of silver ions occurred from Ag-BC columns; however, this was prevented through the addition of ZVI. In conclusion, our data suggest that the BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI sand filters, which demonstrated more than 99% removal of both CECs and E. coli without silver ion release, may be effective, low-cost options for decentralized treatment of reused wastewater. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Original language	English
Article number	41
Journal	Biochar
Volume	5
Issue	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y
Publication status	Published - Dec 2023
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Biochar
Contaminants of emerging concern
E. coli
Recycled water
Wastewater reuse
Zero-valent iron

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Cite this

Zhu, L., Chattopadhyay, S., Elijah Akanbi, O., Lobo, S., Panthi, S., Malayil, L., Craddock, H. A., Allard, S. M., Sharma, M., Kniel, K. E., Mongodin, E. F., Chiu, P. C., Sapkota, A., & Sapkota, A. R. (2023). Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent. Biochar, 5(1), Article 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y

@article{0fcfa0fd60be4f168110e33e6d87c10b,

title = "Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent",

abstract = "Advanced treated municipal wastewater is an important alternative water source for agricultural irrigation. However, the possible persistence of chemical and microbiological contaminants in these waters raise potential safety concerns with regard to reusing treated wastewater for food crop irrigation. Two low-cost and environmentally-friendly filter media, biochar (BC) and zero-valent iron (ZVI), have attracted great interest in terms of treating reused water. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of BC-, nanosilver-amended biochar- (Ag-BC) and ZVI-sand filters, in reducing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total bacterial diversity from wastewater effluent. Six experiments were conducted with control quartz sand and sand columns containing BC, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI, or Ag-BC with ZVI. After filtration, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI demonstrated more than 90% (> 1 log) removal of E. coli from wastewater samples, while BC, Ag-BC, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI also demonstrated efficient removal of tested CECs. Lower bacterial diversity was also observed after filtration; however, differences were marginally significant. In addition, significantly (p < 0.05) higher bacterial diversity was observed in wastewater samples collected during warmer versus colder months. Leaching of silver ions occurred from Ag-BC columns; however, this was prevented through the addition of ZVI. In conclusion, our data suggest that the BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI sand filters, which demonstrated more than 99% removal of both CECs and E. coli without silver ion release, may be effective, low-cost options for decentralized treatment of reused wastewater. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]",

keywords = "Biochar, Contaminants of emerging concern, E. coli, Recycled water, Wastewater reuse, Zero-valent iron",

author = "Linyan Zhu and Suhana Chattopadhyay and {Elijah Akanbi}, Oluwasegun and Steven Lobo and Suraj Panthi and Leena Malayil and Craddock, {Hillary A.} and Allard, {Sarah M.} and Manan Sharma and Kniel, {Kalmia E.} and Mongodin, {Emmanuel F.} and Chiu, {Pei C.} and Amir Sapkota and Sapkota, {Amy R.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, The Author(s).",

year = "2023",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y",

language = "English",

volume = "5",

journal = "Biochar",

issn = "2524-7867",

publisher = "Springer",

number = "1",

}

Zhu, L, Chattopadhyay, S, Elijah Akanbi, O, Lobo, S, Panthi, S, Malayil, L, Craddock, HA, Allard, SM, Sharma, M, Kniel, KE, Mongodin, EF, Chiu, PC, Sapkota, A & Sapkota, AR 2023, 'Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent', Biochar, vol. 5, no. 1, 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y

Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent. / Zhu, Linyan; Chattopadhyay, Suhana; Elijah Akanbi, Oluwasegun et al.
In: Biochar, Vol. 5, No. 1, 41, 12.2023.

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Journal article › Research › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent

AU - Zhu, Linyan

AU - Chattopadhyay, Suhana

AU - Elijah Akanbi, Oluwasegun

AU - Lobo, Steven

AU - Panthi, Suraj

AU - Malayil, Leena

AU - Craddock, Hillary A.

AU - Allard, Sarah M.

AU - Sharma, Manan

AU - Kniel, Kalmia E.

AU - Mongodin, Emmanuel F.

AU - Chiu, Pei C.

AU - Sapkota, Amir

AU - Sapkota, Amy R.

PY - 2023/12

Y1 - 2023/12

N2 - Advanced treated municipal wastewater is an important alternative water source for agricultural irrigation. However, the possible persistence of chemical and microbiological contaminants in these waters raise potential safety concerns with regard to reusing treated wastewater for food crop irrigation. Two low-cost and environmentally-friendly filter media, biochar (BC) and zero-valent iron (ZVI), have attracted great interest in terms of treating reused water. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of BC-, nanosilver-amended biochar- (Ag-BC) and ZVI-sand filters, in reducing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total bacterial diversity from wastewater effluent. Six experiments were conducted with control quartz sand and sand columns containing BC, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI, or Ag-BC with ZVI. After filtration, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI demonstrated more than 90% (> 1 log) removal of E. coli from wastewater samples, while BC, Ag-BC, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI also demonstrated efficient removal of tested CECs. Lower bacterial diversity was also observed after filtration; however, differences were marginally significant. In addition, significantly (p < 0.05) higher bacterial diversity was observed in wastewater samples collected during warmer versus colder months. Leaching of silver ions occurred from Ag-BC columns; however, this was prevented through the addition of ZVI. In conclusion, our data suggest that the BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI sand filters, which demonstrated more than 99% removal of both CECs and E. coli without silver ion release, may be effective, low-cost options for decentralized treatment of reused wastewater. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

AB - Advanced treated municipal wastewater is an important alternative water source for agricultural irrigation. However, the possible persistence of chemical and microbiological contaminants in these waters raise potential safety concerns with regard to reusing treated wastewater for food crop irrigation. Two low-cost and environmentally-friendly filter media, biochar (BC) and zero-valent iron (ZVI), have attracted great interest in terms of treating reused water. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of BC-, nanosilver-amended biochar- (Ag-BC) and ZVI-sand filters, in reducing contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total bacterial diversity from wastewater effluent. Six experiments were conducted with control quartz sand and sand columns containing BC, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI, or Ag-BC with ZVI. After filtration, Ag-BC, ZVI, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI demonstrated more than 90% (> 1 log) removal of E. coli from wastewater samples, while BC, Ag-BC, BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI also demonstrated efficient removal of tested CECs. Lower bacterial diversity was also observed after filtration; however, differences were marginally significant. In addition, significantly (p < 0.05) higher bacterial diversity was observed in wastewater samples collected during warmer versus colder months. Leaching of silver ions occurred from Ag-BC columns; however, this was prevented through the addition of ZVI. In conclusion, our data suggest that the BC with ZVI and Ag-BC with ZVI sand filters, which demonstrated more than 99% removal of both CECs and E. coli without silver ion release, may be effective, low-cost options for decentralized treatment of reused wastewater. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

KW - Biochar

KW - Contaminants of emerging concern

KW - E. coli

KW - Recycled water

KW - Wastewater reuse

KW - Zero-valent iron

U2 - 10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y

DO - 10.1007/s42773-023-00240-y

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85165417346

SN - 2524-7867

VL - 5

JO - Biochar

JF - Biochar

IS - 1

M1 - 41

ER -

Biochar and zero-valent iron sand filtration simultaneously removes contaminants of emerging concern and Escherichia coli from wastewater effluent

Abstract

Keywords

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