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Electrochemical sensors based on sewage sludge-derived biochar for the analysis of anthocyanins in berry fruits.

ABSTRACT: The reutilization of waste and the reduction of the general environmental impact of every production are fundamental goals that must be achieved in the framework of a circular economy. Recycled carbon-rich materials may represent a promising alternative to other less-sustainable carbonaceous materials used in the production of electrochemical sensing platforms. Herein, we propose an innovative carbon paste electrode (CPE) composed of biochar derived from biological sludge obtained from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants. The physicochemical properties of the biochar after a chemical treatment with an acidic solution obtained from industrial by-products were investigated. The electrode surface characterization was carried out by analyzing common redox probes and multiple phenols bearing varying numbers of -OH and -OCH₃ groups in their structure. Furthermore, the CPE was also tested on the evaluation of the phenolic fingerprints of Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum subsp. gaultherioides, and Fragaria × ananassa. Standard anthocyanin mixtures and extracts of the aforementioned fruits were analyzed to provide a phenolic characterization of real samples. The obtained results show that the sewage sludge-derived biochar can be a promising material for the development of electroanalytical sensors.

SUBMITTER: Sfragano PS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9372006 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Electrochemical sensors based on sewage sludge-derived biochar for the analysis of anthocyanins in berry fruits.

Sfragano Patrick Severin PS Laschi Serena S Renai Lapo L Fichera Michelangelo M Del Bubba Massimo M Palchetti Ilaria I

Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 20220426 21

The reutilization of waste and the reduction of the general environmental impact of every production are fundamental goals that must be achieved in the framework of a circular economy. Recycled carbon-rich materials may represent a promising alternative to other less-sustainable carbonaceous materials used in the production of electrochemical sensing platforms. Herein, we propose an innovative carbon paste electrode (CPE) composed of biochar derived from biological sludge obtained from municipal ...[more]

PMID: 35471251

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Project description:The main objective of the present work was to assess the ecotoxicological safety of the use of thermochemically treated sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a distillery plant as a soil additive in agricultural soils based on its physicochemical characteristics and the bioaccumulation of selected elements in the plant tissues of maize (Zea mays). We have carried out physicochemical characterization (pH, EC, Corg, Cinorg, CEC, N, H, ash content, PAHs) of sewage sludge feedstock (SS) and sludge-derived biochar (BC) produced by slow pyrolysis at a temperature of 400 °C. The effect of 1% (w/w) amendment of SS and BC on soil physicochemical properties (pH, EC, Cinorg), germination of ryegrass, soil rhizobacteria and microorganisms, as well as on the accumulation and translocation of selected elements in maize (Zea mays) was studied. The results show that pyrolysis treatment of distillery WWTP sludge at 400 °C increases pH (from 7.3 to 7.7), Corg(from 28.86% to 36.83%), N (from 6.19% to 7.53%), ash content (from 23.59% to 50.99%) and decreases EC (from 2.35 mS/cm to 1.06 mS/cm), CEC (from 118.66 cmol/kg to 55.66 cmol/kg), H (from 6.76% to 1.98%) and Σ18 PAHs content (from 4.03 mg/kg to 3.38 mg/kg). RFA analysis of SS and BC showed that pyrolysis treatment multiplies chromium (Cr) (2.2 times), nickel (Ni) (2.96 times), lead (Pb) (2.13 times), zinc (Zn) (2.79 times), iron (Fe) (1.26 times) in the obtained BC, but based on an ecotoxicological test with earthworms Eisenia fetida, we conclude that pyrolysis treatment reduced the amount of available forms of heavy metals in BC compared to SS. We demonstrated by a pot experiment with a maize that a 1% addition of BC increased soil pH, decreased EC and Cinorg and had no significant effect on heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues. According to the results of the three-level germination test, it also does not affect the germination of cress seeds (Lepidium sativum). There was a significant effect of 1% BC addition on soil microbial community, and we observed a decrease in total microbial biomass and an increase in fungal species variability in the soil. Based on these results, we conclude that BC represents a promising material that can serve as a soil additive and source of nutritionally important elements after optimization of the pyrolysis process.

Project description:Improved technologies are needed for sustainable management of sewage sludge (SS). The torrefaction (also known as biomass "roasting") is considered a pretreatment of SS before use in agriculture. However, it is not known whether the torrefaction has the potential to decrease heavy metals' (HMs) leachability and the SS toxicity. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the influences of the SS torrefaction parameters (temperature and process time) on HM contents in biochar, HM leachability, and biochar toxicity, and compare them with raw SS. The experiments were designed in 18 combinations (six temperatures, 200, 220, 240, 260, 280, and 300 °C; and three process times-20, 40, 60 min). Standard tests were used to determine HMs content, leachability, and toxicity. Results indicated that the torrefaction did not increase (p < 0.05) the HM content in comparison to the raw SS. The leachability of Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Mn from SS biochars was similar to raw SS. However, the degree of leachability varied significantly (p < 0.05) from as low as 0.1% for Cu to high as 16.7% for Cd. The leachability of Cd (<16.7%) and Pb (<11.9%) from biochars was higher than from raw SS (<6.1% and <2.4%, respectively). The leachability of Cd from SS biochar, in five torrefaction combinations, was higher than the threshold value for hazardous waste. It is recommended that site-specific decisions are made for torrefaction of SS with respect to its HM content, as the resulting biochar could be considered as hazardous waste, depending on the feedstock. Moreover, the biochar produced under the whole range of temperatures during 20 min retention time significantly (p < 0.05) increased the Daphnia magna Straus mobility inhibition by up to 100% in comparison to the biochar obtained during 40 and 60 min torrefaction. Taking into account the increased leachability of specific HMs and D. magna Straus mobility inhibition, biochar should be considered a potentially hazardous material. Future research should focus on biochar dosage as a fertilizer in relation to its toxicity. Additional research is warranted to focus on the optimization of SS torrefaction process parameters affecting the toxicity.

Project description:Agricultural application of sewage sludge (SS) after carbonization is a plausible way for disposal. Despite its benefits of improving soil fertility and C sequestration, heavy metals contained in sewage sludge biochars (SSB) are still a concern. In this study, two types of heavy metal stabilizers were chosen: fulvic acid (FA) and phosphogypsum (with CaSO4, CS, as the main component). The two stabilizers were incorporated into SS prior to 350°C carbonization for 1 h at the rates of 1%, 2%, or 4%. The obtained SSBs were then analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Total and available concentrations of four heavy metals, i.e., Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni, in the SSBs were determined. In addition, a series of pot soil culture experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of stabilizers incorporation into SSB on heavy metal bioavailability and the uptake by plants (corn as an indicator) and plant biomass yield, with SS and SSB (no stabilizers) as controls. The results showed that incorporation of both FA and CS increased functional groups such as carboxyl, phenol, hydroxyl, amine and quinine groups in the SSBs. The percentage of heavy metals in sulfuric and oxidizable state and residual state of SSBs were significantly increased after carbonization, and hence the mobility of the heavy metals in SSBs was decreased. The introduction of the stabilizers (i.e., FA or CS) significantly lowered the total and available concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni. The reduction in available heavy metal concentration increased with incorporation rate of the stabilizers from 1% to 4%. In the treatments with FA or CS incorporated SSB, less heavy metals were taken up by plants and more plant biomass yields were obtained. The mitigating effects were more pronounced at higher rates of FA or CS stabilizer. These findings provide a way to lower bioavailability of heavy metals in SS or SSB for land application or horticulture as a peat substitute.

Dataset Information

Electrochemical sensors based on sewage sludge-derived biochar for the analysis of anthocyanins in berry fruits.

Publications

Electrochemical sensors based on sewage sludge-derived biochar for the analysis of anthocyanins in berry fruits.

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