Recovery of phosphorus from eutrophic water using nano zero-valent iron-modified biochar and its utilization

Abstract Effective removal and recovery of phosphorus (P) from the aquatic environment was of great significance for eutrophication control and P recovery. This study investigated the effects of different environmental conditions on P adsorption by biochar (BC) and the feasibility of applying the P-laden BC as a fertilizer for plant growth. The nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) modified reeds BC prepared at 700 °C (Fe-700-BC) had the maximum P adsorption capacity of 95.2 mg g−1, which was higher than those prepared at 300, 500, and 900 °C. The addition of Fe-700-BC reduced the concentration of total phosphorus (TP) in the overlying water, in which the soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) almost completely removed, as well as had a certain inhibitory effect on the growth of algae. Simultaneously, Fe-700-BC reduced the contents of different fractions of P (weakly adsorbed inorganic phosphorus (WA-Pi), potential active inorganic phosphorus (PA-Pi), and Fe/Al-bound inorganic phosphorus (Fe/Al-Pi)) by adsorbing the soluble P released from the sediments, especially in the case of disturbance. Fe-700-BC had no significant effect on the diversity and richness of the microbial community in the sediment. Moreover, P-laden BC was safe and environmentally friendly for application in the soil and tended to increase stem and root length, fresh and dry weight at low doses (0.5 wt%) in wheat planting experiments. The present work could provide a reference for solving the problems related to eutrophication and P deficiency.