Enhancing adsorption of ammonium and phosphorus from food waste digestate solution on biochar and investigating their effect on crop growth and nutrition

This study explores the enhancement of ammonium and phosphorus adsorption from pure and digestate solutions using biochar and examines the effects of nutrient-enriched biochar on crop growth. Biochar produced through pyrolysis was tested for adsorption efficiency, focusing on key mechanisms like ion exchange, electrostatic interactions, and surface complexation. Results indicate significant in nutrient uptake with biochar showing strong capacity for both ammonium and phosphorus adsorption. Nutrient-enriched biochar improved crop growth metrics when applied to soil, likely due to increased nutrient availability and soil health enhancement. This dual function suggests biochar’s potential for wastewater treatment and sustainable agriculture applications.