The Removal and Mitigation Effects of Biochar on Microplastics in Water and Soils: Application and Mechanism Analysis

Due to their widespread distribution, microplastics (MPs) are endangering the soil ecological environment system, causing water pollution and altering the soil’s physicochemical and microbiological features. Because of its unique pore structure and strong stability, biochar is widely used as an adsorbent. However, the effects of MP–biochar interactions in water and soil environment are still unclear. This review outlines the application and mechanism of biochar as an adsorbent in a water environment for the removal of MPs. Also, biochar serves as remediation material for MPs in soils as it mitigates the adverse effects of MPs on soil properties, enzyme activities and soil microbial community. It was found that woody biochar had the highest yield and was more effective in adsorbing MPs. Further research should focus on the combined effects of biochar and MPs, the environmental risks of biochar, the modification of biochar application of MP-removal technologies, the characterization of MP properties, the remediation of combined contamination of MPs and other pollutants, and the transportation of MPs.