Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining

The post-treatment of heavy metal-enriched plants in mining areas and the purification of ammonia and nitrogen pollution in water bodies are significant for the ecological environment of ionic rare earth mining areas. Herein, we focused on the biochar production potential of <i>Dicranopteris p...

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Main Authors: Weiye Li, Zhiqiang Chen, Zhibiao Chen, Liujun Feng, Cailing Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Land
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/10/1638
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author Weiye Li
Zhiqiang Chen
Zhibiao Chen
Liujun Feng
Cailing Yu
author_facet Weiye Li
Zhiqiang Chen
Zhibiao Chen
Liujun Feng
Cailing Yu
author_sort Weiye Li
collection DOAJ
description The post-treatment of heavy metal-enriched plants in mining areas and the purification of ammonia and nitrogen pollution in water bodies are significant for the ecological environment of ionic rare earth mining areas. Herein, we focused on the biochar production potential of <i>Dicranopteris pedata</i>, characterizing biochar prepared by an oxidative modification process and an iron modification process. We conducted adsorption experiments to comparatively investigate the adsorption performance of biochar on NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> and studied the fertilizer application and migration toxicity of the adsorbed biochar for rare earth elements (REEs). Results indicated that ~332.09 g of biochar could be produced per unit area of <i>D. pedata</i> under 100% clipping conditions. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of oxidized biochar (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>BC) increased, and the pore size of iron-modified biochar increased. The adsorption behavior of biochar toward NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> was well represented by the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>BC demonstrated the strongest adsorption of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> with maximum theoretical equilibrium adsorption of 43.40 mg·g<sup>−1</sup>, 37.14% higher than that of pristine biochar. The adsorption process of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> on biochar is influenced by various physicochemical mechanisms, including pore absorption, electrostatic attraction, and functional group complexation. Furthermore, the metal ions in the biochar did not precipitate during the reaction process. The adsorbed NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> biochar promoted the growth of honey pomelo without risking REE pollution to the environment. Therefore, it can be applied as a nitrogen-carrying rare earth fertilizer in low rare earth areas. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the phytoremediation post-treatment of rare earth mining areas and the improvement of ammonia nitrogen wastewater management pathways in mining areas.
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spelling doaj-art-8d01742ea2de4bf79bcff6bcba58627d2025-08-20T02:10:54ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2024-10-011310163810.3390/land13101638Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from MiningWeiye Li0Zhiqiang Chen1Zhibiao Chen2Liujun Feng3Cailing Yu4School of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, ChinaSchool of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, ChinaSchool of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, ChinaSchool of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, ChinaSchool of Geography, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, ChinaThe post-treatment of heavy metal-enriched plants in mining areas and the purification of ammonia and nitrogen pollution in water bodies are significant for the ecological environment of ionic rare earth mining areas. Herein, we focused on the biochar production potential of <i>Dicranopteris pedata</i>, characterizing biochar prepared by an oxidative modification process and an iron modification process. We conducted adsorption experiments to comparatively investigate the adsorption performance of biochar on NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> and studied the fertilizer application and migration toxicity of the adsorbed biochar for rare earth elements (REEs). Results indicated that ~332.09 g of biochar could be produced per unit area of <i>D. pedata</i> under 100% clipping conditions. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of oxidized biochar (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>BC) increased, and the pore size of iron-modified biochar increased. The adsorption behavior of biochar toward NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> was well represented by the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>BC demonstrated the strongest adsorption of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> with maximum theoretical equilibrium adsorption of 43.40 mg·g<sup>−1</sup>, 37.14% higher than that of pristine biochar. The adsorption process of NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> on biochar is influenced by various physicochemical mechanisms, including pore absorption, electrostatic attraction, and functional group complexation. Furthermore, the metal ions in the biochar did not precipitate during the reaction process. The adsorbed NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> biochar promoted the growth of honey pomelo without risking REE pollution to the environment. Therefore, it can be applied as a nitrogen-carrying rare earth fertilizer in low rare earth areas. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the phytoremediation post-treatment of rare earth mining areas and the improvement of ammonia nitrogen wastewater management pathways in mining areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/10/1638<i>Dicranopteris pedata</i>biocharhyper-enriched plantchemical modificationammonia nitrogen adsorptionrare earth mine
spellingShingle Weiye Li
Zhiqiang Chen
Zhibiao Chen
Liujun Feng
Cailing Yu
Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining
Land
<i>Dicranopteris pedata</i>
biochar
hyper-enriched plant
chemical modification
ammonia nitrogen adsorption
rare earth mine
title Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining
title_full Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining
title_fullStr Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining
title_full_unstemmed Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining
title_short Resource Utilization of Rare-Earth-Rich Biomass and Ammonia Nitrogen Effluent from Mining
title_sort resource utilization of rare earth rich biomass and ammonia nitrogen effluent from mining
topic <i>Dicranopteris pedata</i>
biochar
hyper-enriched plant
chemical modification
ammonia nitrogen adsorption
rare earth mine
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/10/1638
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