Adsorption Capabilities of Poultry Litter-Derived Biochar: Impact of Production Conditions and Methylene Blue Removal

Abstract Submission: Excessive land application of poultry litter (PL) has been associated with environmental issues such as eutrophication, pathogen contamination, and fish death, impacting both human and animal health. Pyrolysis of poultry litter offers a sustainable solution by converting it into nutrient-rich biochar, which not only eliminates harmful microbes but also enhances soil quality. Poultry litter-derived biochar is characterized by its high nutrient content and superior cation exchange capacity (CEC), making it a valuable amendment for agricultural and environmental applications. In this study, the adsorption capabilities of poultry litter biochar were evaluated using methylene blue, a common organic dye used to indicate contamination. Adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of biochar in removing methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The study focused on three key aspects: solid-liquid (S/L) effect, concentration effect, and pH effect. The S/L effect involved testing different quantities of biochar to observe how solutes are separated from the solid mixture during dissolution in the liquid phase. The concentration effect assessed the change in the concentration of methylene blue in the solution after biochar was added. The pH effect examined how varying pH levels influenced the adsorption performance of the biochar. The results highlighted the efficacy of poultry litter-derived biochar in removing methylene blue, demonstrating its potential as an effective and sustainable adsorbent for water treatment. These findings underscore the advantages of using waste-derived biochar in environmental remediation, providing a practical approach to managing both waste and water contamination.

Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) : Participants will gain an understanding of how poultry litter-derived biochar can be used as a sustainable solution for water treatment, specifically in the removal of organic pollutants like methylene blue. They will learn about the factors influencing adsorption performance, such as the solid-liquid ratio, contaminant concentration, and pH, and explore the broader environmental benefits of utilizing waste-derived biochar for water remediation and waste management.