Progress in the Application of Biochar in the Treatment Process for Selected Pollutants in Slaughterhouse Wastewater

Department of Health and Life Science, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Chai Wan), Hong Kong 999077, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

With the large-scale development of slaughterhouses, the wastewater they generate has become a significant source of pollution, if not managed properly, it may lead to eutrophication of water bodies, ecological damage, and even pose risks to human health. Biochar, as a low-cost, environmentally friendly adsorbent material, has garnered significant attention from researchers. Research into the treatment of wastewater using biochar has gradually commenced, yet systematic analysis of its application within specific high-pollution wastewater treatment processes, such as those employed in slaughterhouses, remains inadequate. This paper analyses the characteristics of slaughterhouse wastewater, summarises the core properties of biochar, and then reviews case studies of biochar and its modified and composite variants in treatment processes for primary pollutants within slaughterhouse wastewater, and analyses the mechanisms by which biochar removes relevant pollutants, revealing that modified biochar and its composite materials not only offer low cost, ease of preparation, and environmental friendliness, but also demonstrate highly effective results when applied in relevant pollutant treatment processes. This study aims to provide valuable insights for optimising treatment processes for high-concentration organic wastewater from slaughterhouses and similar facilities, and to advance the application of biochar and its modified materials in environmental processes such as wastewater resource recovery.