Potential of non-activated

charcoals for
land remediation
Dr. Jeremy R. Wingate

Jeremy R. Wingate*, Helen Sneath, Tony Hutchings and Frans de Leij.

*jeremy.wingate@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 9th September 2008

Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Use of charcoal in soil What is known?

Research has demonstrated the following benefits of biochar

amendments to soils:

Improved water holding Increased soil pH

capacity
Increased soil microbial
Reduced leaching of respiration
nutrients

All lead to increased soil quality and plant growth

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Use of charcoal in soil What is new?

By manipulation of beneficial characteristics biochar can be

used as a remediation amendment for: -

Metal sorption

Organic sorption

Introduction of beneficial bacteria

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
Sorption of metals by charcoals

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Charcoals for metal sorption

Source Material

Charcoals produced from different source materials

differ tremendously in sorption capacity
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Charcoals for metal sorption

Metal Type

Highly sorbent charcoals can bind a range of metal ions

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Charcoals for metal sorption

Cation Exchange Capacity (cmol+ kg-1) EDX Surface Mapping

Metal sorption is by cation exchange and surface precipitation

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Application: Reduction of eco-toxicity in mine spoil

Metal concentration MAC

[mg kg-1] [mg kg-1]
Arsenic 34470 12
Copper 1641 63 - 91
Cadmium 813 1 - 22
Lead 189 70 - 600
Chromium 34 64 - 87
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
Sunflower growth Symptoms of toxicity
is increased are reduced

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Effects on metal Leaching Effects on microbial
community

Charcoal Amendment (Percentage Weight) Charcoal Amendment (Percentage Weight)

Charcoal reducing metal availability and increases colony

forming soil microbe counts
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
Bacterial colonisation of charcoal

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Problems with soil inoculation

Can be expensive

Effects can be temporary

May not be effective at all

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
Charcoal provides a huge surface area for bacterial colonisation
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Effect of particle size on bacterial colonisation

Charcoal Particle Size

Charcoals continuous structure allows for huge bacterial

colonisation irrespective of particle size
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
Bacterial survival in charcoal @ 20oC and 60% RH

Charcoals hygroscopic properties protect bacteria from

desiccation allowing extended survival rates
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Colonised charcoal for

degradation of organic contaminants

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Application: Degradation of diesel in artificial sand
systems

Manufacture
Soaked in specific vitamin and mineral solution
Impregnated with diesel
Seeded with natural bacterial communities
Incubated to encourage diesel degraders

Experimental Design
Coarse sand spiked with 10000 ppm diesel (1%)
Charcoal bioreactors added at 5% v/v

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Degradation of Diesel

Diesel degradation rates are increased 5 fold

Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Release of bacteria from charcoal with different
Release of bacteria from charcoal
sizes over time
Bacteria are readily released from inoculated charcoal

Smaller particle sizes show increased release

Bacteria can colonise the surrounding soil

Soil texture effects bacterial movement from charcoal particles

If environment is suitable, colonisation of the wider

environment can take place

No need to rely on a perfectly distributed inoculum

Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 In Conclusion

Certain charcoals show huge sorption capacities to cationic metals

Metal contaminated spoil can be remediated leading to increased

microbial activity and plant growth

Certain charcoals can be colonised by > 109 cfu g-1

Colonising bacteria can be selected for specific applications

Degradation of diesel is increased by over 5x when using charcoal

bioreactors

Dr. Jeremy Wingate

Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 What next?
Two Patents filed

Currently running field trials using a DTi Technology

grant

Looking to secure charcoal supplies to specific

requirements

Setting up a spin-out company C-Cure Solutions Ltd.

Can now offer consultancy on applicability of soil

additive-remediation solutions
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008
 Acknowledgements
Tony Hutchings (Forest Research) Nick Kirwan (Aspire Defence Ltd)
Dr Frans de Leij (Uni of Surrey) Ryan Wilson (Uni of Sheffield)
Dr R. van Herwijnen (Forest Research) Jessica Bastock (Uni of Sheffield)
Helen Sneath (Uni of Surrey) Maria Romero (Uni of Sheffield)

Contact Details
Jeremy Wingate jeremy.wingate@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Tony Hutchings (Forest Research) tony.hutchings@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Dr Frans de Leij (Uni of Surrey) f.de-leij@surrey.ac.k

This research was sponsored by the

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC - UK)
Sustainable Urban Brownfield Regeneration: Integrated Management consortium (SUBR:IM)
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)
Dr. Jeremy Wingate
Copyright Forest Research and University of Surrey 2008