Turning animal waste into a powerful tool for cleaner water

The world’s growing livestock industry produces millions of tons of animal manure every year, creating both environmental and public health challenges. A new study shows that this abundant waste material could be transformed into a valuable solution for one of today’s most pressing problems—wastewater pollution.

Researchers reviewed recent advances in converting manure into biochar, a carbon-rich material formed by heating organic matter in low-oxygen conditions. Unlike untreated manure, biochar is stable, safe, and highly effective at cleaning polluted water. The study highlights how manure-derived biochar can trap a wide range of contaminants, from toxic dyes and heavy metals to pharmaceutical residues such as antibiotics.

“Animal manure is often treated as a disposal problem, but our findings show it can become a sustainable resource,” said corresponding author Eilhann E. Kwon of Hanyang University. “By turning waste into biochar, we can simultaneously address manure management and water pollution.”

The review explains that manure-based biochars possess unique features compared with biochars made from plant residues. Rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphates, they offer multiple ways to capture pollutants. Some contaminants are removed through physical processes, like filling biochar’s tiny pores, while others are bound by chemical interactions such as ion exchange or hydrogen bonding. These combined mechanisms make manure biochar versatile and effective against different types of wastewater pollutants.

The authors also examine how factors such as manure type, heating conditions, and surface modifications influence performance. For example, simple pyrolysis can reliably remove heavy metals like lead and copper, while tailored production methods are needed to target specific antibiotics.

Beyond laboratory results, the study considers practical issues such as cost, regeneration, and large-scale application. Because manure is produced in vast quantities worldwide, the authors argue that manure-derived biochar could be integrated into existing wastewater treatment systems as a low-cost, eco-friendly option.

“Our review provides pollutant-specific guidance for producing effective biochars,” Kwon said. “The ultimate goal is to close the loop—using animal waste not as a burden but as part of the solution to safeguard clean water.”

=== 

Journal reference:  Lee S, Kim M, Park G, Jung S, Kwon EE. 2025. Animal manure biochar for the removal of hazardous pollutants from wastewater. Biochar X 1: e003 https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/bchax-0025-0006  

=== 

About the Journal: 

Biochar X is an open access, online-only journal aims to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries by providing a multidisciplinary platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research in both fundamental and applied aspects of biochar. The journal is dedicated to supporting the global biochar research community by offering an innovative, efficient, and professional outlet for sharing new findings and perspectives. Its core focus lies in the discovery of novel insights and the development of emerging applications in the rapidly growing field of biochar science. 

Follow us on Facebook, X, and Bluesky.