Waste-derived biochar can help decontaminate wastewater
Researchers at Penn State’s Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering have made a new discovery about biochar—a charcoal-like substance made from agricultural waste products. The novel study suggests that biochar derived from cotton gin waste and guayule bagasse can adsorb three common pharmaceutical compounds from treated wastewater. Since cotton gin waste is widely available, even in the poorest regions, researchers believe it holds the potential for decontaminating water, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Read more about the ground-breaking research.