Sign in Subscribe
Pollution control

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Groundwater Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

New research from Harran University has made a significant discovery in the field of climate change, finding that biochar adsorption can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from groundwater treatment. The study, funded by Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) and the Scientific Research Projects Committee of Harran University (HUBAP), used carob seed-derived biochar to adsorb carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from groundwater treatment. The findings suggest that the biochar adsorption process can reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 32.6% and N2O emissions by 29.0%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from groundwater treatment using biochar-derived carob seeds.
  • The biochar adsorption process was applied using carob seed-derived biochar for the collected N2O and CO2.
  • The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used to determine the correspondence between water quality and GHG emissions.
  • The highest adsorption ratio of CO2 and N2O corresponded to carob seed-derived biochar produced at 250 degrees C (CSB1).
  • The study found a significant correlation between water quality parameters and GHG emissions, with nitrate (NO3-) being the most effective parameter for N2O emissions.
  • The limitation of the study was that indirect emissions were ignored, and the application was at laboratory-scale operational conditions.
  • The research concluded that the biochar adsorption process should be performed on a full-scale drinking water treatment plant fed by groundwater to accurately assess the process as a GHG mitigation technique.
  • Pelin Yapicioglu, Mehmet Irfan Yesilnacar, and Nurdan Buyukkamaci were additional authors on the research study.

Statistics:

  • CO2 emissions were reduced by 32.6% using carob seed-derived biochar.
  • N2O emissions were reduced by 29.0% using carob seed-derived biochar.
  • The highest correlation was found between CO2 emissions and total organic carbon.
  • Nitrate (NO3-) was the most effective parameter for N2O emissions.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Harran University Broaden Understanding of Climate Change (Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Groundwater Treatment Using Carob Seed-derived Biochar). Global Warming Focus. 2025; p 47.
  • Journal of Water and Climate Change, 2025;16(9):2603-2622. Journal of Water and Climate Change can be contacted at: Iwa Publishing, Republic-Export Bldg, Units 1 04 & 1 05, 1 Clove Crescent, London, England. (IWA Publishing - www.iwaponline.com; Journal of Water and Climate Change - www.iwaponline.com/jwc)

Read more