Design and Development of Onsite Biofilter Unit for Effective Remediation of Contaminants from Wastewater

Agricultural biomass is proven ecofriendly and effective adsorbent for the remediation of contaminants from wastewater. Here, rice husk biochar (600 degrees C) prepared by a one-step pyrolysis method is used for the remediation of different contaminants in real samples. An onsite biofilter unit is fabricated with parallel trenches of different layers of coconut coir and biochar and is used as a biofiltration unit. The efficiency of the designed unit is assessed for the removal of different contaminants in pilot-scale experiments. Results show that removal efficiency varies from metal to metal and ranges from 5.52% to 90.76% using the biofilter unit. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis before and after the adsorption represent the changes in the morphology and surface functionalization of the biochar. Results indicate that the designed biofilter unit could also be used as a promising agent for the remediation of pharmaceutical and other emerging contaminants from wastewater.