Quantifying the Total and Bioavailable Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Dioxins in Biochars

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 46; no. 5; pp. 2830 - 2838
• Main Authors: Hale, Sarah E, Lehmann, Johannes, Rutherford, David, Zimmerman, Andrew R, Bachmann, Robert T, Shitumbanuma, Victor, O’Toole, Adam, Sundqvist, Kristina L, Arp, Hans Peter H, Cornelissen, Gerard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 06.03.2012
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bioavailability; biochar; Biological Availability; biomass; Carbon - analysis; Charcoal - chemistry; Chemical contaminants; Climate change; detection limit; Dioxins; Dioxins - analysis; Environment; environmental quality; Exact sciences and technology; Extraction processes; farms; gasification; General treatment and storage processes; Hydrogen - analysis; Oxygen - analysis; Physical properties; physicochemical properties; Pollution; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; pyrolysis; samplers; sediments; soil; soil amendments; soil fertility; solid phase extraction; temperate zones; temperature; Wastes; Combustion residue; Heat treatment; Chemical analysis; Dioxin derivatives; Waste treatment; Biomass; Mutagen; Sustainable development; Persistent organic pollutant; Upgrading; Risk assessment; Gasification; Organic compounds; Quantitative analysis; Pyrolysis; Carbonaceous materials; Hydrocarbon; Bioavailability; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Biochar; Waste management; Carcinogen; Incineration; Waste reuse; Comparative study; Charcoal

Biochar soil amendment is advocated to mitigate climate change and improve soil fertility. A concern though, is that during biochar preparation PAHs and dioxins are likely formed. These contaminants can possibly be present in the biochar matrix and even bioavailable to exposed organisms. Here we qua...