FURI | Spring 2020

Biochar’s Ability to Remove Escherichia Coli

The research question addressed was how effective biochar is as a soil amendment for the removal of Escherichia Coli (E. coli). Biochar is created through pyrolysis – heating biomass in the absence of oxygen to create a porous medium. The research question was answered through a series of soil column experiments, in which E. coli contaminated water was fed in variable flow rates through columns of biochar and sand. The results indicate that biochar is can effectively remove E. coli. In the future, the experiment should be repeated under different soil types and temperatures.