Application of modified biochar in integrated pollution management for pesticides and antibiotics in water: Recent advances and future prospects

Pesticides and antibiotics, while vital to modern agriculture and aquaculture, have emerged as major contributors to agricultural non-point source pollution, posing serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and public health. Biochar, a multifunctional material characterized by high adsorption affinity, porous structure, and abundant surface functional groups, has shown great potential for mitigating such contaminants. This review systematically summarizes the production methods of modified biochar, enhanced through physical, chemical, biological, and composite modification techniques, highlighting how the choice of biomass and modification strategy critically influences its performance. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanisms by which biochar functions as both an adsorbent and a catalytic material for the remediation of pesticides and antibiotics. Furthermore, the review explores the applications of biochar-based materials in engineered systems, including fixed-bed adsorption units, membrane reactors, electro-Fenton processes, and constructed wetlands. The concept of integrated pollution management, which seeks to balance efficiency and economic feasibility, is also introduced and discussed. Key challenges such as scaling up laboratory findings, understanding real-world reaction kinetics, and conducting comprehensive life cycle assessments are addressed. This review offers insights into optimizing biochar design, enhancing its applicability, and advancing its commercial potential, thereby laying a foundation for future development of sustainable and cost-effective technologies for pesticide and antibiotic removal in aquatic environments.