Ammonium nitrogen removal from wastewater by biochar adsorption

Ammonium nitrogen pollution is a key factor related to water eutrophication. In our works, biochar adsorption for ammonium nitrogen removal from wastewater has been investigated. Transmission Electron Microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was performed to characterize the prepared biochar. The optimal solution pH, and coexisting ions effect for ammonium nitrogen removal from wastewater was examined. Surface characterization demonstrated the obtained biochar was coarse, unshaped, irregular, and contained a great deal of carbon. With an increase in solution pH, biochar adsorption amount of ammonium nitrogen was decrease. With an increase in coexisting ions concentration, biochar adsorption amount of ammonium nitrogen was decrease.