Biochars as\nAdsorbents of Pesticides: Laboratory-Scale\nPerformances and Real-World Contexts, Challenges, and Prospects

Rising concerns about pesticide contamination in water\nbodies have\ndriven the development of technologies to mitigate the water crisis.\nRecognized for its adsorption effectiveness and affordability, biochar\nis considered a sustainable adsorbent for water treatment. This review\ncritically examines recent studies on biochar’s application\nfor pesticide removal. It addresses (i) the effectiveness of biochar\nand its relationship with pyrolysis conditions and modification strategies;\n(ii) mechanisms and properties controlling pesticide adsorption; (iii)\nreal-world applications and large-scale implementation; and (iv) challenges\nand future research perspectives. Biochar’s performance is\nhighly dependent on precursor biomass, pyrolysis conditions, modification\ntechniques, and pesticide properties. Among the 76 works evaluated,\nthe number of pesticides studied is limited compared to the variety\nin use globally, with atrazine present in 22% of them. Issues regarding\ncompliance with regulatory standards, potential environmental risks,\nand the need for greener modification techniques require further investigation.\nBiochar faces competition from other adsorbents, and the lack of production\nstandards may hinder its adoption. Future research should optimize\nbiochar under real environmental conditions and evaluate its economic\nand environmental impacts to support broader, sustainable applications.\nCollaborations among scientists, government officials, farmers, and\nthe industrial sector are advisable to foster innovative initiatives\nin this field.