ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Management of Tannery Solid Waste (TSW)
through Pyrolysis and Characteristics
of Its Derived Biochar
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Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan
Submission date: 2019-12-13
Final revision date: 2020-01-26
Acceptance date: 2020-01-29
Online publication date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2020-10-05
Corresponding author
Firdaus-e- Bareen
University of the Punjab, College of Eath and Environmental Sciences, Quaid-, 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(1):453-462
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ABSTRACT
Tannery solid waste is problematic and toxic biomass that has no other use than being dumped
into the landfill or any dumping site. The present study provides an environmentally friendly method
for sustainable management of toxic and unpleasant tannery solid waste by converting it into biochar,
which is a carbon enriched byproduct of organic biomass produced through pyrolysis. The biochar
derived from tannery solid waste contained a high percentage of carbon and nitrogen. The pH of biochar
was alkaline (8.6) making it suitable for enhancing nutrient availability as compared to the initial pH
of feedstock which was acidic (4.98). SEM analysis of biochar showed the presence of pores with some
deposition of salts while no pores were observed in TSW feedstock. The surface area of biochar was
134.9 m2g-1, indicating that it can be used as a soil additive for enhancement of the absorption and
adsorption processes as well as providing space for microbial activities. Amount of metals like Cr, Fe
and Mg was high in biochar but it is presumed that bioavailability of these essential and non-essential
metals to plants is limited. This study suggests the management of tannery solid waste by conversion to
biochar and to use it as a soil additive because of properties like alkaline pH, increased surface area due
to the presence of pores and essential elements such as Na, K, N and S.