Aim:
The Biochars for Pollution Prevention Working Group aims to foster knowledge exchange and pathways to impact for academics working on state-of-the-art technologies related to the use of biochar for pollution prevention and environmental remediation – particularly as applied to microorganisms. This can be either in terms of removing, killing or preventing release of harmful microorganisms, or in terms of seeding bioremediative microorganisms for the purpose of pollutant degradation.
Interested?
Use the QR code or contact the Working Group co-ordinator to get involved (meredith.barr@lsbu.ac.uk).
Working Group Co-ordinator
Dr Meredith Barr is a lecturer in Chemical & Energy Engineering at London South Bank University, having previously worked at Imperial College London. She obtained her PhD in Biomass Pyrolysis from Queen Mary University of London following her first degree in Chemical-Biological Engineering from MIT. Her research focuses on converting waste biomass to sustainable materials using ‘waste-negative parallel manufacturing’: the co-production of diverse materials from complementary fractions of biomass, with an emphasis on using more waste than is produced. Her current work related to biochars for pollution prevention includes developing biochar wastewater filters to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment, tuning biochar morphology for improved nutrient regulation, and refreshing spent biochar sorbents.
Current Events
BBNet and EBNet joint workshop exploring the integration of conversion technologies – REGISTER NOW!
BBNet and EBNet are delighted to announce that registration is now open for a workshop exploring how thermal, thermochemical, and biological conversion technologies may be integrated to improve environmental and economic outcomes of waste and biomass valorisation processes.
This two day in-person workshop will be led by the EBNet biochars for pollution prevention working group co-ordinated by Dr Meredith Barr and will bring together colleagues working across the environmental biotechnology and biomass biorefining sectors.
The workshop will cover the following topics:
- biological pretreatment of thermal/thermochemical feedstocks
- biochar for microbiome engineering
- thermal/thermochemical technologies in anaerobic digestion and fermentation
Each session will be led by experts in the field including Prof Jhuma Sadhukhan, Dr Mark Gronnow, and Dr Andrew Ross, and will feature several speakers who will share their research, including the motivation, methods and challenges associated with each pathway.
There are limited places available, open to existing BBNet and EBNet members whose research fits with the purpose of the workshop.
Expressions of interest are being taken until 05 January 2025, after which point places will be confirmed.
If you would like to find out more information and how to apply please visit the BBNet website here: Conversion technologies workshop – register here
Workshop information:
Workshop dates: 25 & 26 February 2025
Times: 10.30am, 25 February, to 3pm, 26 February
Venue: London South Bank University
Accommodation: Overnight accommodation will be provided for the night of 25 February at the Hampton by Hilton at Waterloo
Cost: The cost of the workshop is free to participants. This includes the two-day workshop, lunch and refreshments throughout each day, dinner and overnight accommodation on 25 February. Participants will be expected to self-fund their travel and any other related expenses.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Environmental Biotechnology Network
WG Activities
Contributed to the Workshop: “Exploring The Past, Present and Futures of Environmental Biotechnology as a Field”, 11:00-17:00, 4 November 2024, Euston, Central London. Commented on the interim findings from the Social Science Working Group exploration of the field and explored some important and provocative questions about the future.
Conference Attendance
Two members of the Group attended WasteEng24, 20-23 August 2024, Sendai, Japan. They presented work from 3 WG member with 2 presentations, a poster and a chaired session. See here for details.
Lab Visit – Biochar research
The EBNet Working Group led by Dr Meredith Barr, held a lab visit to Herriot-Watt University on 24 May 2024. There was a group tour of the facilities, and a meeting with others working with biochars. This event is now over.
Take a look at our inaugural webinar which explores potential working group activities and has excellent talks from Prof Fred Coulon, Cranfield University and Dist. Prof, Andy Ball, RMIT.
Interesting Publications
New directions and challenges in engineering biologically-enhanced biochar for biological water treatment. Anjali Jayakumar et al., Science of the Total Environment, Volume 796, July 2021, 148977.
Biochar-based wastewater treatment to combat antimicrobial resistance. Paul-Enguerrand Fady et al. (2022), XII Iberoamerican Congress on Pulp and Paper Research. Girona, Spain 28 Jun – 01 Jul 2022 https://doi.org/10256/21215
Biochar-microorganism interactions for organic pollutant remediation: Challenges and perspectives. Santanu Mukherjee et al., Environmental Pollution. Volume 308, 1 September 2022, 119609
Bioengineering remediation of former industrial sites contaminated with chemical mixtures. Emmanuel Atai et al., Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances. Volume 10, May 2023, 100319
Recent advances in biochar engineering for soil contaminated with complex chemical mixtures: Remediation strategies and future perspectives. Jerry Anae et al., Science of The Total Environment. Volume 767, May 2021, 144351
Biochar application in biofiltration systems to remove nutrients, pathogens, and pharmaceutical and personal care products from wastewater. Zahra Maleki Shahraki and Xinwei Mao, Journal of Environmental Quality. Volume 51, March/April 2022, 129-151
Biosolids-derived biochar enhances the bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil. Charled Chinyere Dike et al., Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. Volume 10, December 2022, 108633
Biochar filters as an on-farm treatment to reduce pathogens when irrigating with wastewater-polluted sources. Luis Fernando Perez-Mercado et al., Journal of Environmental Management. Volume 248, October 2019, 109295