On-farm biochar filters for removal of organic micropollutants from reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation (Biokolfilter)
KEY POINTS- biochar
- pharmaceuticals
- removal efficiency
Project overview
Participants
More related research
Global goals
- 3. Good health and well-being
- 6. Clean water and sanitation
- 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Short summary
Using reclaimed water for agricultural irrigation is a promising way to address water shortages. However, organic micropollutants (OMPs) — such as pharmaceuticals and other chemicals — pose risks to crops, ecosystems, and human health.
This project develops biochar-based techniques to remove OMPs from reclaimed water, making it safe for food crop irrigation. Our goals are to:
1. Identify key OMPs in reclaimed water.
2. Test biochar from different renewable sources for OMP removal.
3. Evaluate the breakdown of OMPs during biochar regeneration.
Our results will be of direct use to society by increasing knowledge on OMPs in reclaimed water and providing innovative, green treatment solutions for their removal. This work supports safe water reuse and a more sustainable food system.
Project members:
Prithvi Simha, PhD, Researher
Bent Speksnijder, PhD student
Publications:
- Speksnijder, B., Celma, A., Tyka, M., Simha, P., Golovko, O. Biochar potential for long-term pharmaceutical remediation in flow-through tertiary wastewater systems. Journal of Environmental Management. 2025, 394, 127389
- Pilotto, F., Golovko, O., Hultberg, M. Water quality and pesticide contamination in agricultural streams: assessing white-rot fungi and biochar treatments as remediation strategies. Journal of Environmental Management, 2025, 394, 127282
- Speksnijder, S., Welle, M.C., Jaquier, N., Golovko, O. Using machine learning and analytical modelling to predict pharmaceutical breakthrough in biochar columns. Journal of Hazardous Materials 517 (2026) 143508
Master students and visiting PhD students:
Alice Johansson, Master students, 2026
Grzegorz Gorczynski, Intern student 2025
Bent Speksnijder, Master students, 2024
Gayani Rajakaruna Kapukotuwa (FROV, JCU,CZ), February–May 2026