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Toward Sustainable Soil Remediation: Progress and Perspectives on Biochar-Activated Persulfate Oxidation

Author

Listed:
  • Qiwei Jian

    (School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China)

  • Xianbao Xu

    (Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-222 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Xiang Li

    (State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China)

  • Aiwu Yang

    (State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China)

  • Bin Liu

    (School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China)

  • Bo Yu

    (China Railway Water Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710000, China
    China Tiegong Investment & Construction Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100000, China)

  • Hussein E. Al-Hazmi

    (Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, 80-222 Gdańsk, Poland
    BioCo Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium)

  • Gamal Kamel Hassan

    (Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza P.O. Box 12622, Egypt)

Abstract

Organic soil pollution poses a persistent threat to environmental sustainability by disrupting nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning. The biochar-activated persulfate (PS)-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) has emerged as a promising strategy for the sustainable remediation of organic-contaminated soils. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent progress in the PS-based degradation of organic pollutants, with a particular focus on the role of biochar as an efficient and environmental activator. This review further summarizes advancements in the design of modified biochars, including metal (Fe, Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, and La), non-metal (N, S, B, P), and functional group modifications, aimed at enhancing the PS activation efficiency while minimizing secondary environmental risks. Importantly, the overlooked contributions of soil microorganisms in PS/biochar systems are discussed, highlighting their potential to complement chemical oxidation and contribute to eco-compatible remediation pathways. This review emphasizes the sustainability-oriented evolution of PS/biochar technology, highlighting the importance of a cost-efficient implementation, ecological compatibility, and the rational engineering of smart, regenerable catalysts. These insights support the advancement of PS/biochar-based AOPs toward scalable, intelligent, and environmentally sustainable soil remediation.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiwei Jian & Xianbao Xu & Xiang Li & Aiwu Yang & Bin Liu & Bo Yu & Hussein E. Al-Hazmi & Gamal Kamel Hassan, 2025. "Toward Sustainable Soil Remediation: Progress and Perspectives on Biochar-Activated Persulfate Oxidation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-32, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5253-:d:1673532
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