Potential of biochar as a filter media for stormwater applications Jihoon (James) Kang, Ph.D. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences

the Rule of Threes 3 min without air 3 hour without shelter 3 days without water 3 months without food

Advanced turbidity control BMPs

Terra Preta “black earth” or “black land”

Map Showing Where Terra Preta is Currently known to be Found [Source: Clement et al 2015 “The domestication of Amazonia before European conquest”]

If this woody aboveground biomass were converted into biochar by means of simple kiln techniques and applied to soil, more than 50% of this C would be sequestered in a highly stable form

Biochar A solid material obtained from the thermochemical conversion of biomass in an oxygen-limited environment. – It can be applied to soil for both agricultural and environmental gains

Compost is produced when bacteria, yeast and fungi breakdown organic materials by aerobic decomposition. Biochar is produced when wood, manure, leaves and other organic materials are heated with little or no air.

Pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition of organic material at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen.

Biochar Materials Properties Physicochemical and morphological properties depend on feedstock and production condition.

C/N ratio is critical for soil amendment Pyrolysis temperature is critical to make surface morphology. Mukome, F. N., & Parikh, S. J. (2015). chemical, Physical, and Surface characterization of Biochar. Biochar: Production, Characterization, and Applications, 68. Chia, C. H., Downie, A., & Munroe, P. (2015). Characteristics of biochar: physical and structural properties. Biochar for environmental management: science and technology. Earthscan Books Ltd, London,

Webber, et al (2013). An NMR study of porous rock and biochar containing organic material. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 178, Tan et al (2015). Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions. Chemosphere, 125,

Aqueous Zn adsorption experiment Oak tree (SSA = 271 m 2 g -1 ) Pyrolysis temp = 400°C Wood (SSA = 476 m 2 g -1 ) Pyrolysis temp = 450°C

Langmuir model for Zn adsorption data S max = 21,400 mg kg -1 S max = 6,100 mg kg -1

Oak tree (S max = 21,400 mg kg -1 ) Molar O/C = 9.72 Oak tree Molar O/C = 0.06

Zn adsorption kinetics

GAC vs. Biochar Granular Activated CarbonBiochar FeedstockPrimarily coal, some biomassBiomass Pyrolysis temperature °C °C Activation processAdditional steam and/or chemical activation needed ( °C) No activation needed Surface areaUp to 1600 m 2 g -1 Up to 500 m 2 g -1 Cost$1,500-3,000 per ton$500 per ton Biochar = Green alternative for lower cost applications

Filtration media in new/existing treatment systems (e.g., roof downspout, bioswale etc.) Application of Biochars to Stormwater

Biochar-filled filter log Stormwater filter media Source:

Sargassum inundation in South Padre Island, Texas Citrus peel

Jihoon (James) Kang “Water is the driver of Nature.” “We might say that the earth has the spirit of growth; that its flesh is the soil.” - Leonardo da Vinci