27 Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Posters)

We invite presentations on the environmental fate of contaminants and their impact on human and environmental health. Transdisciplinary contributions are encouraged, especially those examining the rock-soil-water-human nexus at all scales with strong public outreach or societal impact.

Sunday, 19 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Removal of Vanadium from Aqueous Solution Using Magnetite-Biochar Composites: Surface Chemistry and Environmental Applications

Paper number: 27-18
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

The release of vanadium (V) into the environment poses significant risks including aquatic toxicity, bioaccumulation in organisms, disruption of aquatic food chain and potential risks to human health through contaminated water sources. V contamination can result from various industrial activities such as iron and steel manufacturing, mining, semiconductor production, and pharmaceutical processes. Biochar (BC) has attracted growing attention as a promising absorbent for V removal, due to its unique chemical reactivity, high porosity and diverse surface functional groups. Sewage sludge biochar (SSBC), a type of engineered carbon material, is produced by pyrolyzing sewage sludge in an anoxic environment. This process not only enhances the physical and chemical properties of the material, but also provides a sustainable solution to the growing challenges of sludge management, treatment, and disposal. To further enhance its environmental remediation potential, SSBC can be modified with magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄), which provide high surface area, strong magnetic properties, and redox activity due to the coexistence of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. This study investigates the application of magnetite-biochar (MNP–BC) composites for V⁵⁺ removal from aqueous systems. The research focuses on: (1) characterizing the physicochemical properties of the composites and their roles in adsorption and redox mechanisms, and (2) evaluating the adsorption kinetics and the influence of key parameters such as pH, V concentration, and sorbent dosage. Our findings demonstrate that MNP–BC composites exhibit promising potential for remediating aqueous systems contaminated with V, offering a synergistic approach that combines the adsorption capacity of BC with the redox activity of magnetite nanoparticles.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414712

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