Comparative assessment of metribuzin sorption efficiency of biochar, hydrochar and vermicompost

Abstract

In this study, we used two biochars (BC) produced from grapevine pruning residues (BCgv) and red spruce wood (BCrs), two hydrochars (HC) from urban pruning residues (HCup) and the organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (HCuw), and two vermicomposts (VC) obtained vermicomposting digestates from buffalo manure (VCbm) and mixed feedstock (VCmf). Adsorption kinetics and isotherms of metribuzin onto these materials were performed. Sorption kinetics followed preferentially a pseudo-second-order model, thus indicating the occurrence of chemical interactions between the sorbate and the adsorbents. Adsorption constants were calculated using the Freundlich and Langmuir models. Metribuzin sorption data on BCgv and both HC fitted preferentially the Freundlich equation, whereas on the other materials data fitted both isotherms well (r > 0.95). Metribuzin sorption capacity of the materials followed the trend BC > HC > VC. Sorption constants of metribuzin normalised per organic carbon content (K_OC) on BCgv, BCrs, HCup, HCuw, VCbm and VCmf were 561, 383, 251, 214, 102 and 84 L kg⁻¹, respectively. A significant positive correlation (P = 0.016) was calculated between distribution coefficients (K_d) of all materials and the corresponding organic carbon contents, thus indicating a prominent role of the organic fraction of these materials in the adsorption of metribuzin.

Keywords:

• Bio-based adsorbent
• sorption kinetics
• sorption isotherm
• herbicide adsorption
• soil amendment

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ingelia Italia S.p.a. for providing hydrochars and C & F Energy, Società Agricola S.r.l., Eboli, Italy, for providing vermicomposts used in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Italy.