Chapter 4 - Summary of research on biochar adsorption of chemical pollutants

4.2.2. Inorganic contaminants and the effect of pH and competitor ions

Scanning electron microscope images of bone char granules at two levels of magnification. [Image reference]

Fluoride sorption by bone char

Bone char is composed primarily of the mineral hydroxyapatite, with the formula Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. The literature presents some uncertainty about the mechanism(s) of fluoride sorption to bone char. A few different mechan…