Biochar as an adsorbent for inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus removal from water: a review

Biochar is the solid product of biomass pyrolysis that can be used for carbon sequestration, soil amendment, and pollution remediation. The use of biochar as an adsorbent for the removal of water contaminants has elicited increasing interest due to the multifunctional properties of this material. The application of biochar in the adsorption of inorganic nutrients from eutrophic water has not been reviewed. This review focuses on recent research on the use of biochar for the adsorption of inorganic nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) and phosphorus (phosphate) from water, especially for the main influence factors and mechanisms for nitrogen and phosphorus adsorption on biochar.