Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled a promising strategy to address persistent organic pollutants—dangerous substances found in industrial waste, pesticides, and contaminated soils that threaten environmental and human health. Their latest review highlights how biochar-supported microbial systems can revolutionize the remediation of these contaminants.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, and chlorinated solvents, are notorious for their cancer-causing effects and resistance to natural degradation. Traditional methods such as chemical treatment and excavation are often expensive, disruptive, and inefficient. Biological remediation is safer, but survival and effectiveness of microbes in harsh contaminated environments remain limited.
The new approach leverages "biochar"—a carbon-rich material produced from pyrolyzed biomass. Biochar's porous structure and surface chemistry are ideal for trapping pollutants and creating microhabitats for beneficial microbes. When loaded with pollutant-degrading microbes, biochar acts as both a protective carrier and an adsorbent, allowing microbes to persist and perform while efficiently removing toxins from water and soil. Recent advances include nutrient-enriched biochar and engineered microbial communities that further expand remediation potential.
The authors detail progress in adapting biochar-supported systems to tackle pollutants in industrial wastewater, agricultural soils, and domestic environments. These integrated strategies have already achieved impressive results, including rapid breakdown of pesticides, dyes, and petroleum-based pollutants. While rigorous field-scale testing and long-term analysis are still needed, the technology represents a significant step towards scalable, sustainable pollution control.
"Biochar-supported microbial systems mark an important milestone toward a circular economy and healthier ecosystems," says lead author Haowei Wu. "By combining advanced materials science with microbial ecology, this strategy offers new hope for restoring polluted environments and protecting public health."
The paper is published in Biochar and is available open access under a Creative Commons license.
===
Journal Reference: Wu, H., Huo, Y., Qi, F. et al. Biochar-supported microbial systems: a strategy for remediation of persistent organic pollutants. Biochar 7, 113 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-025-00506-7
===
About Biochar
Biochar is the first journal dedicated exclusively to biochar research, spanning agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. It publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications—such as bioenergy, environmental remediation, soil enhancement, climate mitigation, water treatment, and sustainability analysis. The journal serves as an innovative and professional platform for global researchers to share advances in this rapidly expanding field.
