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Dr. Ana Maria Mendez
Department of Geological and Mining Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid 28003, Spain

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0 Biochar
0 Hydrometallurgy
0 Pyrolysis
0 Hydrothermal Carbonization
0 carbon materials

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Journal article
Published: 02 June 2021 in Applied Sciences
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Mine tailing storage represents an important environmental issue. The generation and dispersal of dust from mine tailings can contaminate air and surrounding soils. In addition, metals and soluble salts present in these wastes could pollute groundwater and surface water. The recovery of metals from mine tailings can contribute to minimize the environmental risk and to achieve a circular economy model. The main objective of the present work is to study the use of two carbon-based materials, a commercial activated carbon (AC) and a commercial charcoal (VC) in the leaching of zinc and copper from low-grade tailing waste. Experimental results obtained show that it is possible to achieve the recovery of more than 87 wt% of Zn after 6 h of leaching with different sulfuric acid solutions. The addition of carbon-based materials increases the extraction of Zn at high sulfuric acid concentrations (1 M) from 89% to 99%. The addition of VC significantly increases the extraction of Cu in leaching solution with high sulfuric acid concentration (1 M), from 41 to 61%. Future research will be necessary to optimize the properties of carbon-based materials and their recovery after leaching experiments in order to assess their potential for industrial application.

ACS Style

María Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. Recovery of Zinc and Copper from Mine Tailings by Acid Leaching Solutions Combined with Carbon-Based Materials. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 5166 .

AMA Style

María Álvarez, Ana Méndez, Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Gabriel Gascó. Recovery of Zinc and Copper from Mine Tailings by Acid Leaching Solutions Combined with Carbon-Based Materials. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (11):5166.

Chicago/Turabian Style

María Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Roberto Rodríguez-Pacheco; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. 2021. "Recovery of Zinc and Copper from Mine Tailings by Acid Leaching Solutions Combined with Carbon-Based Materials." Applied Sciences 11, no. 11: 5166.

Journal article
Published: 17 April 2021 in Recycling
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Considering economics and environmental sustainability, recycling of critical metals from end-of-life devices should be a priority. In this work the hydrometallurgical treatment of a spent automotive catalytic converter (SACC) using HCl with CaCl2 as a leaching medium, and solvent extraction (SX) with a thiodiglycolamide derivative, is reported. The aim was to develop a leaching scheme allowing high Pt recoveries and minimizing Al dissolution, facilitating the application of SX. The replacement of part of HCl by CaCl2 in the leaching step is viable, without compromising Pt recovery (in the range 75–85%), as found for the mixture 2 M CaCl2 + 8 M HCl when compared to 11.6 M HCl. All leaching media showed good potential to recover Ce, particularly for higher reaction times and temperatures. Regarding SX, results achieved with a model solution were promising, but SX for Pt separation from the real SACC solution did not work as expected. For the adopted experimental conditions, the tested thiodiglycolamide derivative in toluene revealed a very good loading performance for both Pt and Fe, but Fe removal and Pt stripping from the organic phases after contact with the SACC solution were not successfully accomplished. Hence, the reutilization of the organic solvent needs improvement.

ACS Style

Ana Méndez; Carlos Nogueira; Ana Paiva. Recovery of Platinum from a Spent Automotive Catalyst through Chloride Leaching and Solvent Extraction. Recycling 2021, 6, 27 .

AMA Style

Ana Méndez, Carlos Nogueira, Ana Paiva. Recovery of Platinum from a Spent Automotive Catalyst through Chloride Leaching and Solvent Extraction. Recycling. 2021; 6 (2):27.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana Méndez; Carlos Nogueira; Ana Paiva. 2021. "Recovery of Platinum from a Spent Automotive Catalyst through Chloride Leaching and Solvent Extraction." Recycling 6, no. 2: 27.

Journal article
Published: 06 February 2021 in Metals
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Chalcopyrite, the main ore of copper, is refractory in sulfuric media with slow dissolution. The most commonly employed hydrometallurgical process for the oxidation of chalcopyrite and copper extraction is the sulfuric acid ferric sulfate system The main objective of the present work is to study the use of cheap carbon-based materials in the leaching of copper and zinc from a sulfide complex mineral from Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). The addition effect of commercial charcoal (VC) and two magnetic biochars (BM and HM) that were obtained by pyrolysis of biomass wastes was compared to that of commercial activated carbon (AC). The experimental results performed in this work have shown that the presence of carbon-based materials significantly influences the kinetics of chalcopyrite leaching in the sulfuric acid ferric sulfate media at 90 °C. The amount of copper and zinc extracted from IPB without the addition of carbon-based material was 63 and 72%, respectively. The highest amount of extracted zinc (>90%) was obtained with the addition of VC and AC in IPB/carbon-based material ratio of 1/0.25 w/w. Moreover, it is possible to recover more than 80% of copper with the addition of VC in a ratio 1/0.25 w/w. Moreover, an optimization of the properties of the carbon-based material for its potential application as catalyst in the leaching of metals from sulfide is necessary.

ACS Style

María Álvarez; José Fidalgo; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez. Hydrometalurgical Recovery of Cu and Zn from a Complex Sulfide Mineral by Fe3+/H2SO4 Leaching in the Presence of Carbon-Based Materials. Metals 2021, 11, 286 .

AMA Style

María Álvarez, José Fidalgo, Gabriel Gascó, Ana Méndez. Hydrometalurgical Recovery of Cu and Zn from a Complex Sulfide Mineral by Fe3+/H2SO4 Leaching in the Presence of Carbon-Based Materials. Metals. 2021; 11 (2):286.

Chicago/Turabian Style

María Álvarez; José Fidalgo; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez. 2021. "Hydrometalurgical Recovery of Cu and Zn from a Complex Sulfide Mineral by Fe3+/H2SO4 Leaching in the Presence of Carbon-Based Materials." Metals 11, no. 2: 286.

Journal article
Published: 05 November 2020 in Applied Sciences
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Biochars and hydrochars have a significant effect on soil properties linked to fertility or to carbon cycling and have been proposed as an amendment to increase soil productivity, particularly in acidic soils. Phytotoxic forms of aluminium (Al) are relatively abundant in acidic soils and, for a long period of time, liming has been used to correct this. Ca(OH)2, a pig manure (PM) and two biochars and two hydrochars prepared from pig manure were studied for their effects on Al fractions. Biochars were prepared at 450 °C (BPC450) and 600 °C (BPC600) and hydrochars were obtained using a pig manure solution (ratio 30:70) that was heated at 200 °C (HPC200) and 240 °C (HPC240). A treatment with an amount of Ca(OH)2 necessary to increase soil pH to the same pH value as the average in the treatments BPC450, BPC600, HPC200, HPC240 and PM was used for comparison. The fractionation of Al was studied, with the liming treatment allowing the differentiation between changes in fractionation driven by pH changes from other mechanisms. In relation to the control, all soil amendments presented high capacity of controlling toxic Al, similar to a traditional liming product (Ca(OH)2) and decreased the exchangeable Al extracted by NH4Cl. Both types of materials (biochars and hydrochars) lead to the formation of an increased number of organo-aluminium complexes (OAC). Biochars lead to the formation of OAC of low to medium stability, while hydrochars promoted the formation of OAC of high stability.

ACS Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; María Luisa Álvarez-Calvo; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo; Ana-Maria Mendez; Gabriel Gascó. Effect of Biochar and Hydrochar on Forms of Aluminium in an Acidic Soil. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 7843 .

AMA Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, María Luisa Álvarez-Calvo, Cícero Célio De Figueiredo, Ana-Maria Mendez, Gabriel Gascó. Effect of Biochar and Hydrochar on Forms of Aluminium in an Acidic Soil. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (21):7843.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; María Luisa Álvarez-Calvo; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo; Ana-Maria Mendez; Gabriel Gascó. 2020. "Effect of Biochar and Hydrochar on Forms of Aluminium in an Acidic Soil." Applied Sciences 10, no. 21: 7843.

Editorial
Published: 02 September 2020 in Applied Sciences
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Biochar is a carbon-rich solid obtained from the pyrolysis of organic feedstock under limited oxygen and at relatively low temperatures

ACS Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana-Maria Méndez; Gabriel Gascó; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo. Special Issue on “Environmental Applications of Biochar”. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 6076 .

AMA Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Ana-Maria Méndez, Gabriel Gascó, Cícero Célio De Figueiredo. Special Issue on “Environmental Applications of Biochar”. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (17):6076.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana-Maria Méndez; Gabriel Gascó; Cícero Célio De Figueiredo. 2020. "Special Issue on “Environmental Applications of Biochar”." Applied Sciences 10, no. 17: 6076.

Journal article
Published: 21 August 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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The removal of emerging contaminants (ECs) for water source reclamation, minimizing energy and chemical use, is an environmental concern worldwide. In this study, we used the technologically cleaner pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) processes to convert olive oil production wastes into chars in order to simultaneously remove triclosan (TCS), ibuprofen (IBP) and diclofenac (DCF) from water. The chars prepared from olive stone (S), olive tree pruning (P) and pitted and reprocessed wet olive mill waste (H), as well as commercial biochars and a commercial active carbon (CAC), were characterized using different techniques and assayed as adsorbents. Pyrolysis temperatures had only a slight effect on the adsorption capacity of chars. The pseudo second-order reaction kinetic and the Freundlich equation provided the best fit for experimental data. The pH values of char suspensions were negatively correlated with their maximum adsorption capacities. The hydrochars synthetized at the lowest temperatures (≤ 240 °C), which had an acidic pH and were rich in oxygenated functional groups, recorded the highest adsorption rates: 64% for DCF, 43% for IBP) and especially for TCS, with a rate of 98%, despite of a low surface area of 7.5 m2/ g. This study demonstrates for the first time that unmodified hydrochars from pitted and reprocessed wet olive mill waste are inexpensive, sustainable and environmentally friendly adsorbents which can be used to remove ECs and other similar compounds in water treatments.

ACS Style

Laura Delgado-Moreno; Saida Bazhari; Gabriel Gasco; Ana Méndez; Mohammed El Azzouzi; Esperanza Romero. New insights into the efficient removal of emerging contaminants by biochars and hydrochars derived from olive oil wastes. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 752, 141838 .

AMA Style

Laura Delgado-Moreno, Saida Bazhari, Gabriel Gasco, Ana Méndez, Mohammed El Azzouzi, Esperanza Romero. New insights into the efficient removal of emerging contaminants by biochars and hydrochars derived from olive oil wastes. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 752 ():141838.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura Delgado-Moreno; Saida Bazhari; Gabriel Gasco; Ana Méndez; Mohammed El Azzouzi; Esperanza Romero. 2020. "New insights into the efficient removal of emerging contaminants by biochars and hydrochars derived from olive oil wastes." Science of The Total Environment 752, no. : 141838.

Journal article
Published: 16 May 2020 in Minerals
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We examined the national mine waste registries from seven European countries, created to fulfil the requirements of the “Mine Waste Directive” (2006/21/EC), for their potential use as an initial source of information for the valorisation of specific mine waste deposits for their resource recovery. A set of parameters for mine waste valorisation was defined and divided into three groups: the “basic”, the “metal-centric” and the “material-centric” group. The “basic” group of 19 parameters considers properties of the mine waste deposit, including the location, history, homogeneity and quantity, among others, while the other two groups relate to the two desired material recovery types. The “metal-centric” group of parameters contains the six parameters needed to preliminarily assess the potential to valorise mine waste for metal extraction, while the “material-centric” group contains the nine parameters needed to consider the use of mine waste for the production of different construction materials. National mine waste registries from Slovenia, France, Spain, Italy, UK, Hungary and Portugal were reviewed to determine whether they contain information about each of the parameters. In line with the objectives of the Mine Waste Directive, the national mine waste registries were developed to reduce or prevent environmental damage, and not to enable resource recovery from mine waste. The registries contain most of the information for the parameters in the “basic” group, less information for the parameters in the “metal-centric” group and almost no information to define the parameters in the “material-centric” group. The conclusion is that national mine waste registries could serve only as an initial source of information, and more detailed information must be obtained from other sources. This misses an opportunity to see these sites as a resource, and not only as a potential source of pollution, given the urgent need to find alternative stocks of metals within the EU (European Union).

ACS Style

Gorazd Žibret; Bruno Lemiere; Ana-Maria Mendez; Carlo Cormio; Danielle Sinnett; Peter Cleall; Katalin Szabo; M. Teresa Carvalho. National Mineral Waste Databases as an Information Source for Assessing Material Recovery Potential from Mine Waste, Tailings and Metallurgical Waste. Minerals 2020, 10, 446 .

AMA Style

Gorazd Žibret, Bruno Lemiere, Ana-Maria Mendez, Carlo Cormio, Danielle Sinnett, Peter Cleall, Katalin Szabo, M. Teresa Carvalho. National Mineral Waste Databases as an Information Source for Assessing Material Recovery Potential from Mine Waste, Tailings and Metallurgical Waste. Minerals. 2020; 10 (5):446.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gorazd Žibret; Bruno Lemiere; Ana-Maria Mendez; Carlo Cormio; Danielle Sinnett; Peter Cleall; Katalin Szabo; M. Teresa Carvalho. 2020. "National Mineral Waste Databases as an Information Source for Assessing Material Recovery Potential from Mine Waste, Tailings and Metallurgical Waste." Minerals 10, no. 5: 446.

Journal article
Published: 14 May 2020 in Applied Sciences
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Land degradation by old mining activities is a concern worldwide. However, many known technologies are expensive and cannot be considered for mining soil restoration. Biochar amendment of mining soils is becoming an interesting alternative to traditional technologies due to an improvement in soil properties and metal mobility reduction. Biochar effects depend on soil and biochar properties, which in turn vary with pyrolysis conversion parameters and the feedstock used. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of four biochars prepared from poultry and rabbit manure at two pyrolysis temperatures (450 and 600 °C) in the trace metal mobility, CO2 emissions, and enzymatic activity of 10 mining soils located in three historical mining areas of Spain (Zarandas-Andalusia, Mijarojos-Cantabria, and Portman-Murcia). For this reason, soils were amended with biochars at a rate of 10% (w/w), and different treatments were incubated for 180 days. For acid soils of the Zarandas-Andalusia area, biochar addition reduced the mobility of Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr, respectively, by 91%, 81%, 29%, 67%, and 70%. Nevertheless, biochars did not exhibit the same efficiency in the other two areas where alkaline soils were predominant. CO2 emissions generally increased in the treated soils. The application of biochars produced at 600 °C reduced CO2 emissions, in some cases by more than 28%, being an adequate strategy for C sequestration in soil. The results showed that application of manure biochars can be an effective technique to reduce the mobility of metals in multi-contaminated acid soils, while reducing metal toxicity for soil microorganisms.

ACS Style

María Luisa Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. Effects of Manure Waste Biochars in Mining Soils. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 3393 .

AMA Style

María Luisa Álvarez, Ana Méndez, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Gabriel Gascó. Effects of Manure Waste Biochars in Mining Soils. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (10):3393.

Chicago/Turabian Style

María Luisa Álvarez; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó. 2020. "Effects of Manure Waste Biochars in Mining Soils." Applied Sciences 10, no. 10: 3393.

Journal article
Published: 25 March 2020 in Agronomy
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In recent times, there has been increased focus on a holistic approach to soil remediation with consideration of social, economic and environmental factors. Consequently, there is a demand from practitioners and regulators alike for suitable ways to measure ancillary outcomes, for example, effects on soil quality. Here we show that biochar, when applied to land to remediate lead (Pb)-contaminated soils, can lead to environmental improvements not realized by adding mined or manufactured phosphates. Here, we study a Pb-contaminated soil amended with two phosphate fertilizers (slow- and fast-release) and with biochars produced from poultry litter and from biosolids at three temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C). The results show that, unlike the fast-release P fertilizer, biochars did not result in an increase in the amount of leachable P that could be released into the environment. Biochars prepared at 500 °C presented a higher value of the integrative geometric mean of soil enzyme activity, compared to the P fertilizers. Overall, our research shows that biochars, particularly those prepared at the higher temperature tested, are a suitable alternative to P fertilizers as an integrative remediation strategy in Pb-contaminated soils, enabling soil biological restoration.

ACS Style

Pacian Netherway; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Aravind Surapaneni; Suzie Reichman; Kalpit Shah; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Using Phosphorus-Rich Biochars to Remediate Lead-Contaminated Soil: Influence on Soil Enzymes and Extractable P. Agronomy 2020, 10, 454 .

AMA Style

Pacian Netherway, Gabriel Gascó, Ana Méndez, Aravind Surapaneni, Suzie Reichman, Kalpit Shah, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Using Phosphorus-Rich Biochars to Remediate Lead-Contaminated Soil: Influence on Soil Enzymes and Extractable P. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (4):454.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pacian Netherway; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Aravind Surapaneni; Suzie Reichman; Kalpit Shah; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. 2020. "Using Phosphorus-Rich Biochars to Remediate Lead-Contaminated Soil: Influence on Soil Enzymes and Extractable P." Agronomy 10, no. 4: 454.

Original paper
Published: 07 March 2020 in Waste and Biomass Valorization
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The use of phytoremediation to remove metals of contaminated soils is an interesting technique that is usually limited by adverse physical and chemical properties of this type of soils. The addition of biochar produced from manure waste could improve soil properties due to its nutrient content, high cation exchange capacity or water holding capacity. However, the high water content of manure wastes precludes its pyrolysis treatment use for biochar production, without a previous drying step. Indeed, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of manure wastes could be an adequate treatment method as it takes place in water solution. The product obtained after HTC of biomass, named hydrochar, exhibits different physiochemical properties than biochar that could affect their potential application. The objective of the present work is to study the effect of chars obtained by pyrolysis or HTC of manure wastes in mining soil phytoremediation with Sinapis alba. Two selected mining soils (PORT and GAM) were treated with two manure biochars prepared at 450 °C (BMW450) and 600 °C (BMW600), two hydrochars prepared by HTC of manure at 190 °C (HWM190) and 240 °C (HMW240) and raw manure waste (MW) at a rate of 10% in mass. Later, different soil samples were incubated with or without Sinapis alba growth. Experimental results shown that properties of chars have a great influence on the efficiency of the use of Sinapis alba in the phytoremediation of mining soils. The addition of BMW600 and raw material (MW) increased the production of aerial and root biomass for GAM soil. For PORT soil, HMW190, two biochars and MW increases root and aerial biomass whereas HMW240 only produces an increment on aerial biomass. Addition of two hydrochars and MW had a positive effect on the biochemical soil activities and the highest microbial biomass carbon of GAM and PORT soil samples was observed after addition of HMW190. Finally, the addition of biochars and hydrochars could improve the phytoremediation of mining soils by Sinapis alba. However, the heavy metal uptake greatly depends on the type of soil, the amendment and the target metal. The accumulation of As, Pb and Zn in the aerial part of Sinapis alba was very low. However, Sinapis alba acts as accumulator for As in the presence of BMW600 and HMW190, for Zn after amendment with HM190 and for Pb after BMW600 addition to PORT soil. For GAM soil, only the addition of BMW450 and BM600 improves the capacity of accumulation of As in roots.

ACS Style

E. Cárdenas-Aguiar; B. Ruiz; E. Fuente; G. Gascó; A. Méndez. Improving Mining Soil Phytoremediation with Sinapis alba by Addition of Hydrochars and Biochar from Manure Wastes. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2020, 11, 5197 -5210.

AMA Style

E. Cárdenas-Aguiar, B. Ruiz, E. Fuente, G. Gascó, A. Méndez. Improving Mining Soil Phytoremediation with Sinapis alba by Addition of Hydrochars and Biochar from Manure Wastes. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2020; 11 (10):5197-5210.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Cárdenas-Aguiar; B. Ruiz; E. Fuente; G. Gascó; A. Méndez. 2020. "Improving Mining Soil Phytoremediation with Sinapis alba by Addition of Hydrochars and Biochar from Manure Wastes." Waste and Biomass Valorization 11, no. 10: 5197-5210.

Journal article
Published: 22 May 2019 in Chemosphere
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Soil contamination in mining areas is an important environmental concern. In these areas, phytoremediation is often impeded because of the low fertility and pH. Assisted phytoremediation is increasingly being used in polluted areas. Biochar could assist plant growth via enhanced soil fertility. An experiment was performed in a mining soil (RIII) from the mining area of Riotinto (Spain) contaminated with Cu, Pb, Zn and As in order to study: (i) The effects of biochar on soil fertility; (ii) Biochar temperature of preparation effect and (iii) Effect of biochar on phytoremediation potential. A mesocosm experiment was designed using Brassica napus as test specie. Soil (RIII) was treated with rabbit manure biochars prepared at 450 °C (BM450) and 600 °C (BM600) at a rate of 10% in mass and incubated for 60 days with or without Brassica napus. Results showed that the combination of BM450 or BM600 with Brassica napus growth decreased the amount of As, Cu, Co, Cr, Se and Pb in the soil. Values of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for Cd were particularly elevated (>10) in the unamended soil and reached values higher than 1 for other elements, indicating the potential of Brassica napus to accumulate several heavy metals. Translocation Factor (TF) was reduced for Co, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and As after biochar addition indicating root accumulation of these metals. In all cases, biochar addition increased biomass production. Finally, the addition of BM450 increased GMea index indicating also an improvement on soil quality.

ACS Style

G. Gascó; M.L. Álvarez; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. Combining phytoextraction by Brassica napus and biochar amendment for the remediation of a mining soil in Riotinto (Spain). Chemosphere 2019, 231, 562 -570.

AMA Style

G. Gascó, M.L. Álvarez, J. Paz-Ferreiro, A. Méndez. Combining phytoextraction by Brassica napus and biochar amendment for the remediation of a mining soil in Riotinto (Spain). Chemosphere. 2019; 231 ():562-570.

Chicago/Turabian Style

G. Gascó; M.L. Álvarez; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. 2019. "Combining phytoextraction by Brassica napus and biochar amendment for the remediation of a mining soil in Riotinto (Spain)." Chemosphere 231, no. : 562-570.

Editorial
Published: 05 August 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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ACS Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Suzie M. Reichman. Soil Pollution and Remediation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 1657 .

AMA Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Gabriel Gascó, Ana Méndez, Suzie M. Reichman. Soil Pollution and Remediation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (8):1657.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Gabriel Gascó; Ana Méndez; Suzie M. Reichman. 2018. "Soil Pollution and Remediation." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 8: 1657.

Review
Published: 10 May 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Ever increasing volumes of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) are being produced by municipal wastewater facilities. This is a consequence of the continued expansion of urban areas, which in turn require the commissioning of new treatment plants or upgrades to existing facilities. Biosolids contain nutrients and energy which can be used in agriculture or waste-to-energy processes. Biosolids have been disposed of in landfills, but there is an increasing pressure from regulators to phase out landfilling. This article performs a critical review on options for the management of biosolids with a focus on pyrolysis and the application of the solid fraction of pyrolysis (biochar) into soil.

ACS Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Aurora Nieto; Ana Méndez; Matthew Peter James Askeland; Gabriel Gascó. Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 956 .

AMA Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Aurora Nieto, Ana Méndez, Matthew Peter James Askeland, Gabriel Gascó. Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (5):956.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Aurora Nieto; Ana Méndez; Matthew Peter James Askeland; Gabriel Gascó. 2018. "Biochar from Biosolids Pyrolysis: A Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 5: 956.

Journal article
Published: 18 April 2018 in Science of The Total Environment
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The production of organic waste has steadily increased in recent years, with subsequent impact on the environment. The European Union committed to diminish the volume of biodegradable municipal waste disposed of in landfills by 2016–2020. The synthesis of biochar from urban waste and its application to improve soil quality can constitute a novel route for valorization. The aim of this paper was to study the effect of three biochars originated from pyrolysis of the organic fraction of urban waste at two different temperatures (300 °C and 500 °C) and two residence times (1 h and 5 h) on the biochemical properties of an agricultural soil. Soil was amended with biochars at a rate of 8% and incubated for 74 days. A phytotoxicity assay, using garden cress as the test species, was conducted. CO2 emissions, microbial biomass C and the enzymes dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase and β-glucosidase were measured in tested soils. Biochars prepared at 300 °C resulted in lower germination index values, which could partly be ascribed to a higher bioavailability of heavy metals and higher soluble organic matter, while the biochar prepared as 500 °C exhibited a phytostimulant effect. Biochars produced at 300 °C (B300-1 h, B300-5 h) augmented soil CO2 emissions while there was no effect on microbial respiration in the soil amended with the biochar prepared at 500 °C. Pyrolysis temperature and, for some enzymes, residence time, controlled soil enzymatic activity.

ACS Style

Iria Benavente-Ferraces; G. Gascó; C. Plaza; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. Choice of pyrolysis parameters for urban wastes affects soil enzymes and plant germination in a Mediterranean soil. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 634, 1308 -1314.

AMA Style

Iria Benavente-Ferraces, G. Gascó, C. Plaza, J. Paz-Ferreiro, A. Méndez. Choice of pyrolysis parameters for urban wastes affects soil enzymes and plant germination in a Mediterranean soil. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 634 ():1308-1314.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Iria Benavente-Ferraces; G. Gascó; C. Plaza; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. 2018. "Choice of pyrolysis parameters for urban wastes affects soil enzymes and plant germination in a Mediterranean soil." Science of The Total Environment 634, no. : 1308-1314.

Journal article
Published: 02 January 2016 in Scientia Horticulturae
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Peat is a crucial carbon sink in the terrestrial ecosystem, but it is jeopardized by its use as fuel or as growing media. In the last years, much research has been performed aiming to find high quality and low cost substrates from different organic wastes in order to decrease peat consumption. Biochar is a carbon-rich material that has attracted important research as soil amendment. However, its potential utilization as peat substitute for growing media formulation remains less well explored. The main objective of this work was to study the effect on peat based growing media of pruning waste (PW) and three biochars: a commercial charcoal (CC), biochar from slow pyrolysis of PW at 300 °C (B300) and 500 °C (B500) added at different ratios. The chemical properties of some mixtures were adequate as growing media materials. Hydrophysical properties of peat changed with biochar and pruning waste additions. B500 and CC additions (in 50 and 75 vol%) increased air space volume. All mixtures showed lower water holding capacities than peat and only mixtures with B500 lead to adequate holding capacity and porosity values for substrate materials. Finally, lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was grown in the different substrates and, after 5 weeks, the results have shown that lettuce biomass was substantially higher with peat plus biochar samples obtained from pyrolysis of pruning waste at 300 and especially 500 °C than with peat alone. Our results imply that pruning residue biochar can be an improved growing media as peat substitute for soilless vegetable production.

ACS Style

A. Nieto; G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; J.M. Fernández; C. Plaza; A. Méndez. The effect of pruning waste and biochar addition on brown peat based growing media properties. Scientia Horticulturae 2016, 199, 142 -148.

AMA Style

A. Nieto, G. Gascó, J. Paz-Ferreiro, J.M. Fernández, C. Plaza, A. Méndez. The effect of pruning waste and biochar addition on brown peat based growing media properties. Scientia Horticulturae. 2016; 199 ():142-148.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Nieto; G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; J.M. Fernández; C. Plaza; A. Méndez. 2016. "The effect of pruning waste and biochar addition on brown peat based growing media properties." Scientia Horticulturae 199, no. : 142-148.

Book chapter
Published: 29 October 2015 in SSSA Special Publications
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Soil biological properties play a critical role in determining the environmental functions and processes of agricultural ecosystems. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the recent research findings on biochar amendments influencing soil biological properties and ecosystem services. In general, biochar ameliorated soil biological properties and soil ecological functions, but the effect varied with the soil type, the biochar quality, and the application rate. Addition of biochar stimulated soil enzymatic activity and microbial biomass, especially for acidic or contaminated soils. Soil respiration was also primed, to a greater extent by biochars containing more labile carbon as those produced at lower pyrolysis temperatures. Biochar amendment further improved the mycorrhizal colonization of plant roots, the abundance of bacteria and viruses in soil, and the microbial community stability. Biochar also mediated plant systemic resistance against foliar diseases and inhibited plant parasitic nematodes in soils. Earthworms and arthropods can ingest biochar particles for the inherent labile C or the bacteria/fungal mycelia sorbed on the surface, but the soil fauna might be restricted at high biochar application rates due to the substantial soil alterations in pH and other physiochemical conditions. The effects of biochar amendment on soil biological properties could be transient or of long term, likely through altering soil physical (e.g., soil structure, aeration, water retention, temperature, and microbial habitat) and chemical (e.g., pH, nutrient availability, contaminant detoxification) properties and providing additional nutrients and labile carbon. Intensive research with long-term field trials is warranted to understand the mechanisms and processes through which biochar interacts with soil biological communities. Copyright © 2016. . Copyright © 2016 Soil Science Society of America, Inc.

ACS Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana Méndez; Gabriel Gascó. Application of Biochar for Soil Biological Improvement. SSSA Special Publications 2015, sssaspecia, 145 -173.

AMA Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro, Ana Méndez, Gabriel Gascó. Application of Biochar for Soil Biological Improvement. SSSA Special Publications. 2015; sssaspecia (sssaspecpu):145-173.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jorge Paz-Ferreiro; Ana Méndez; Gabriel Gascó. 2015. "Application of Biochar for Soil Biological Improvement." SSSA Special Publications sssaspecia, no. sssaspecpu: 145-173.

Journal article
Published: 17 October 2015 in Soil and Tillage Research
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Adding some pruning residues to the soil could result on phytotoxicity due to the presence of polyphenols. Pyrolysis of those residues could lead to a product with less polyphenols and a potential to be used as soil amendment. Soil biological properties, and, in particular soil enzyme activities have often been as indicators of soil quality. We tested phytotoxicity, using a germination test, and soil biological properties, namely soil microbial biomass C and soil microbial biomass N, soil basal respiration and several soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase and phosphomonoesterase) in a soil amended with pruning residues and with biochars prepared at 300 °C and 500 °C from those residues. Moreover, both biochar and pruning residues were divided into finer (2 mm) particles and we studied the effect of adding two different doses of amendments (1 and 3%). Biochar resulted in an increase in the germination index of tomato and lettuce seeds in comparison to pruning residues, while no difference was found for the other plant species tested (watercress and lettuce). Pruning residues showed phytototicity in the tomato germination test. In general, both, pruning residues and the use of amendments with finer size particle resulted in an increase in soil enzyme activity. Our results indicate that soil enzymes are not responsive to the presence of polyphenols and could not be used as suitable indicators of soil quality in soils amended with residues containing polyphenols, while germination tests are more suitable to detect the presence of these toxic compounds.

ACS Style

Chenfei Liang; Gabriel Gascó; Shenglei Fu; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Biochar from pruning residues as a soil amendment: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size. Soil and Tillage Research 2015, 164, 3 -10.

AMA Style

Chenfei Liang, Gabriel Gascó, Shenglei Fu, Ana Méndez, Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. Biochar from pruning residues as a soil amendment: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size. Soil and Tillage Research. 2015; 164 ():3-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chenfei Liang; Gabriel Gascó; Shenglei Fu; Ana Méndez; Jorge Paz-Ferreiro. 2015. "Biochar from pruning residues as a soil amendment: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size." Soil and Tillage Research 164, no. : 3-10.

Journal article
Published: 26 November 2014 in Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
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Biochar research has focused in the last years in the use of wood or grass derived materials for carbon sequestration. However, manure derived biochar can provide other benefits after soil addition, including nutrient supply. At present, there is an incomplete understanding of pyrolysis on manures. In order to understand the benefits obtained after addition of these types of materials to the soil, an experiment involving the use of different manures and pyrolysis temperatures was performed. Five manure wastes were selected for this experiment: cattle manure (E); cattle manure mixed with straw (EP), chicken manure (G), chicken manure mixed with sawdust (GS) and pig slurry (PC). Unpyrolyzed samples were compared to biochars prepared at 300 and 500 °C. Relevant properties for agronomic purposes were determined, including pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient content, metal content, proximate analysis and carbon thermostability. Our results show that biochars tailored for different purposes can be prepared after a careful choice of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature.

ACS Style

P. Cely; G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. Agronomic properties of biochars from different manure wastes. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 2014, 111, 173 -182.

AMA Style

P. Cely, G. Gascó, J. Paz-Ferreiro, A. Méndez. Agronomic properties of biochars from different manure wastes. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 2014; 111 ():173-182.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Cely; G. Gascó; J. Paz-Ferreiro; A. Méndez. 2014. "Agronomic properties of biochars from different manure wastes." Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 111, no. : 173-182.

Journal article
Published: 19 February 2014 in Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
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An increasing proportion of recycled fibers are used in paper industries due to their important environmental and economic benefits. However, removing the ink, clay, coatings and contaminants from paper waste in order to produce recycled fibers creates large amounts of de-inking paper sludge. For this reason, the preparation of biochar from pyrolysis process of this kind of waste rich in cellulose fibers, carbonates and clays, and their use in soil remediation contaminated by heavy metals can be perceived as an interesting valorization alternative. The aim of the present work is to study the influence of biochar from de-inking paper sludge (HP) pyrolysis in a Ni2+ polluted soil. Selected soil (S) was artificially contaminated with Ni2+ at 1000 mg Ni kg−1 (S1000) and then amended at a rate of 5 wt% using HP and two biochars prepared from pyrolysis of HP at 300 °C (HP300) and 500 °C (HP500). Non-contaminated soil (S) was used as control and amended with the same rate of HP, HP300 and HP500. An incubation experiment was designed and soil CO2 emissions were measured in the different treatments during 77 days. The results have shown that CO2 emissions followed the order S = S + HP = S + HP300 > S + HP500 for the non-polluted soil and the patternS1000 + HP300 > S1000 ≈ S1000 + HP > S1000 + HP500 for the soil spiked with Ni. Finally, it was observed that HP500 addition to the polluted soil reduced the quantity of mobile, leached and bioavailable Ni.

ACS Style

A. Méndez; J. Paz-Ferreiro; F. Araujo; G. Gascó. Biochar from pyrolysis of deinking paper sludge and its use in the treatment of a nickel polluted soil. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 2014, 107, 46 -52.

AMA Style

A. Méndez, J. Paz-Ferreiro, F. Araujo, G. Gascó. Biochar from pyrolysis of deinking paper sludge and its use in the treatment of a nickel polluted soil. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 2014; 107 ():46-52.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Méndez; J. Paz-Ferreiro; F. Araujo; G. Gascó. 2014. "Biochar from pyrolysis of deinking paper sludge and its use in the treatment of a nickel polluted soil." Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 107, no. : 46-52.

Journal article
Published: 31 July 2013 in Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
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Biochar is a carbon-rich solid product obtained by pyrolysis of biomass. Their properties depend on the raw material characteristics and pyrolysis conditions. The main objective of present work is to study the physicochemical and agronomic properties of biochar from sewage sludge pyrolysed at two temperatures. Feedstock was obtained by co-composting of sewage sludge with pruning waste in a treatment plant in Madrid region (Spain). Biochar was prepared at 400 °C and 600 °C leading to samples referenced CAP-400 and CAP-600, respectively. pH, BET surface area, porosity and total concentration of Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb increases with pyrolysis, whereas electrical conductivity (EC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) decrease, specially with treatment at 600 °C. So, the volatile matter of biochar decreased with the increment of pyrolysis temperature from 400 °C to 600 °C while the biochar fixed carbon was similar at two pyrolysis temperatures. These differences on biochar properties have a significant influence on their effects on soil properties.

ACS Style

A. Méndez; M. Terradillos; G. Gascó. Physicochemical and agronomic properties of biochar from sewage sludge pyrolysed at different temperatures. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 2013, 102, 124 -130.

AMA Style

A. Méndez, M. Terradillos, G. Gascó. Physicochemical and agronomic properties of biochar from sewage sludge pyrolysed at different temperatures. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis. 2013; 102 ():124-130.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Méndez; M. Terradillos; G. Gascó. 2013. "Physicochemical and agronomic properties of biochar from sewage sludge pyrolysed at different temperatures." Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 102, no. : 124-130.