Converting Heavy Metals with Biochar

 


An interesting form of charcoal is being studied at the university of Waterloo. It is extremely effective at absorbing chromium and changing it into a safer form.

Chromium is a heavy metal. It exists in two separate forms. One form, chromium (III) is a micro nutrient that our body needs. Chromium (VI) is a very dangerous carcinogen. It is linked to liver cancer,lung, ovarian cancer, and even reproductive problems.

Chromium (VI) is often made during processes like leather tanning, mining, and  stainless steel production. It can occur naturally in the presence of manganese.

Biochar is a form of charcoal. It is made by heating agricultural waste without oxygen. It is being studied for chromium pollution cleanup at industrial sites.

The research was posted in the journal Chemosphere.

Filip Budimir is at the university of Waterloo, in the Earth and environmental sciences department. He is researching what happens when water contaminated with chromium (VI) is mixed with an oak based biochar

Budimir used the Canadian light source at the university of Saskatchewan. He investigated the biochar to see where the chromium was deposited on the grains. He was curious to see what version of metal was inside.

The solution changed quickly. It initially contained only CR (VI). After it sat for five days, 85% of the chromium had become CR (III). Biochar absorbed the toxic chromium and converted it into a safer form.

Budimir also discovered the chromium isotopes fractionated during the removal of Cr (VI) from the water. The lighter chromium isotopes were removed faster and converted to Cr (III) more readily than heavier isotopes

Budimir summarized, “ Things are happening underground, but we’re not sure what. Testing the isotopes can give us an idea of what is happening and if the process is working.”


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