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Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Published on: November 28, 2014
Sorption of lead by Salisbury biochar produced from British broadleaf hardwood
Zhengtao Shen1, Fei Jin1, Fei Wang1
1Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
In this study, the physicochemical properties of Salisbury biochar produced from British broadleaf hardwood and its adsorption characteristics towards lead were investigated. The biochar particle size has a significant effect on its BET surface area, cation exchange capacity and sorption of lead. The kinetics data were well fitted by the Pseudo second order model. The increase of biochar dosage increased the percentage of lead removal in solutions. The increase of initial solution pH increased the percentage of lead removal across the pH range of 2-10. The calculated maximum adsorption capacities of lead by Langmuir model were 47.66 and 30.04 mg/g for 0.15 mm and 2 mm samples. The adsorption capacities of different metals decreased in the order of lead > nickel > copper > zinc calculated in mmol/g. This study suggests a great potential of biochars derived from British broadleaf hardwood to be applied in soil remediation.
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