# Environmental Remediation of Metribuzin Herbicide by Mesoporous Carbon--Rich from Wheat Straw
###### Abstract  
Contemporary farming practices and rapid industrialization over the last few decades, have raised significant soil and water pollution with extreme toxic effects to humans and ecosystems. The widespread and inefficient use of pesticides, which surpass the soil's self purification capability, has accelerated soil pollution. In this study, wheat straw biochar was obtained using the traditional pyrolysis technique and its characterization; in addition, the adsorption efficiency of metribuzin was investigated. Biochars' physical and chemical characteristics were qualified using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A batch sorption test and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry were also used to assess the biochar efficiency. SEM and FTIR confirmed the highly reactive surfaces of biochar, establishing efficient biomass conversion in low-oxygen conditions. The adsorption process showed best fit with pseudo second-order kinetic and Langmuir models, suggesting a chemisorption procedure and monolayer-type removal. Regarding its environmental and agricultural application, wheat straw biochar can be advanced as a recommendation solution for further research, which is fundamental for soil rehabilitation and the immobilization of contaminations. adsorption; biochar; metribuzin; wheat straw +
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Therefore, pesticide-based soil pollution may have a detrimental impact on the break down and decomposition processes associated with microbial activities [12]. A wide range of alternatives can be used for remediation of pesticide contaminated soil, such us chemical oxidation/reduction, washing with extractants and bioremediation [13; 14; 15]. Some of these techniques are effective but limited by their applicability at the macro level in the agriculture field, with major issues that could arise as a result of their use. Focused on the adsorption theory, application of amendments is frequently regarded as a cost-effective strategy for pesticide-polluted soil remediation [16]. These remediation technologies include various modifications capable of converting and immobilizing pesticide, such us rice husk, fruit peel, straw wastes or biochar [1]. Amongst certain amendments, biochar has arisen as promising material that is eco-friendly, renewable, cheaper, and easily available, and will solve the problem of soil remediation [14; 17; 18]. Currently, biochar has gained popularity as a result of its numerous agricultural conveniences as well as performance. Biochar is the carbon-rich material, produced during the process of biomass pyrolysis under oxygen-limiting conditions [19; 20]. Its basic composition (carbon, nitrogen, potassium and magnesium) can provide nutrients and increase crop yields, thereby reducing fertilizer requirements. The application of biochar as a soil amendment leads to improvement of the physico-chemical quality of the soil [21; 22; 23]. The increased water-holding capacity of soil following biochar treatment may be one of the major aspects for crop improvement [24]. The available soil water capacity is increased over 22%, due to high total porosity, which can retain water molecules in the small-pore structure of biochar [25]. The soil aggregation capacity is increased between 8 and 36% after the application of rice husk biochar [26]. Specific experiments performed at various scales, reveal that in the 0-15 cm soil depth, total porosity is increased by a minimum of 10%, whereas bulk density is decreased according to the same ratio [27]. Enhanced physical properties of the soil, such as water-holding and aggregation capacities or bulk density can improve both nutrient and water storage and crop productivity. The use of biochar raises the pH of the soil. According to [28], soil reactivity (pH) is increased from 7.1 to 8.1 when different types of biochar were applied to soil.