Arsenic Removal from Water Using Biochar-Based Sorbents

Biochar is a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and sustainable sorbent with a great potential to remove potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including arsenic (As) from water. This chapter explores the use of different biochars, especially for As removal from aqueous environments. We summarized systematically the (i) biochar production methods; (ii) physico-chemical biochar characterization including spectroscopic characterization; (iii) factors affecting biochar efficiency to remove As from water; (iv) biochar application for sorption of As from drinking well water; (v) engineered biochar efficiency for As remediation; and (vi) removal mechanisms and fate of As after sorption onto biochar. The review provides a comprehensive knowledge of using diverse types of biochars for the remediation of As from water including groundwater which is used for drinking by millions of people worldwide. Moreover, the research gaps and future challenges on the use of biochar for the remediation of As from water are discussed.