Novel Fe/Ca oxide co-embedded coconut shell biochar for phosphorus recovery from agricultural return flows

Abstract

Efficient elimination and recovery of phosphorus from agricultural return flows are crucial for effective eutrophication management and phosphorus reuse. In this study, a neutral Fe/Ca oxide co-embedded biochar (FCBC) was synthesized using calcium peroxide and ferrous chloride as precursors for phosphate recovery from agricultural return flows. FCBC possesses a highly intricate pore structure and an abundance of surface-active groups. Fe/Ca oxides were loaded onto the biochar in the form of Ca₂Fe₂O₅, Fe₂O₃, and CaCO₃. FCBC demonstrated a broad pH tolerance range (pH = 6–12) in the aquatic environment. The maximum saturation adsorption capacity was 53.31 mg g⁻¹. Phosphorus removal is influenced by Ca₃(PO₄)₂ generation, intra-particle diffusion, and electrostatic attraction. The produced FCBC showed exceptional phosphorus removal efficiency in the presence of various anions, except for wastewater with high concentrations of SO₄²⁻, CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, and F⁻ (>500 mg L⁻¹). FCBC can effectively remove phosphorus from agricultural return flows and reduce the risk of the water environment. Returning it to the field can also mitigate the depletion of phosphorus resources, effectively reduce carbon emissions from farmland, improve soil fertility, and realize multiple benefits.