Paracetamol degradation pathways in soil after biochar addition

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Soil Science
• Bioremediation

Background:

• Paracetamol is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant with poorly understood degradation pathways in soil.
• Biochar's electrochemical properties suggest potential for contaminant remediation, but its effect on paracetamol is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of raw and designer redox-active biochars on paracetamol degradation in soil.
• To identify paracetamol degradation products and elucidate transformation pathways influenced by biochar.

Main Methods:

• Soil incubation experiments with biochar amendments.
• Metabolite quantification using analytical techniques.
• Identification of degradation products to map transformation pathways.

Main Results:

• A minimum of 53% of spiked paracetamol was transformed in biochar-amended soil.
• New degradation pathways involving catechol and phenol were identified.
• A novel transformation route to NAPQI was discovered under anaerobic conditions with designer biochars.

Conclusions:

• Biochar amendment significantly alters paracetamol degradation pathways in soil.
• Designer biochars can induce unique transformation routes, including NAPQI formation.
• This study advances understanding of paracetamol's environmental fate and biochar's role in its biodegradation.