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Title: Removal of radioactive cesium (134Cs plus 137Cs) from low-level contaminated water by charcoal and broiler litter biochar

Author
item KIMURA, KEITAROU - National Food Research Institute - Japan
item HACHINOHE, MAYUMI - National Food Research Institute - Japan
item Klasson, K Thomas
item HAMAMATSU, SHIOKA - National Food Research Institute - Japan
item HAGIWARA, SHOJI - National Food Research Institute - Japan
item TODORIKI, SETSUKO - National Food Research Institute - Japan
item KAWAMOTO, SHINICHI - National Food Research Institute - Japan

Submitted to: Food Science and Technology Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2014
Publication Date: 1/15/2015
Citation: Kimura, K., Hachinohe, M., Klasson, K.T., Hamamatsu, S., Hagiwara, S., Todoriki, S., Kawamoto, S. 2014. Removal of radioactive cesium (134Cs plus 137Cs) from low-level contaminated water by charcoal and broiler litter biochar. Food Science and Technology Research. 20(6):1183-1189.

Interpretive Summary: Various charcoals (used in food processing and water treatment) and broiler litter biochar were examined for ability to adsorb water-soluble low-level radioactive cesium (ca. 200-250 Bq/kg) extracted from contaminated wheat bran. Among the materials tested, steam activated broiler litter biochar was the most effective sorbent and was able to reduce the concentration of radioactive cesium to less than 10 Bq/kg. The adsorption was observed under neutral and alkaline conditions but not under acidic conditions. The cesium binding to steam activated broiler litter biochar appeared to be stable under alkaline conditions.

Technical Abstract: Various charcoals (used in food processing and water treatment) and broiler litter biochar were examined for ability to adsorb water-soluble low-level radioactive cesium (ca. 200-250 Bq/kg) extracted from contaminated wheat bran. Among the materials tested, steam activated broiler litter biochar was the most effective sorbent and was able to reduce the concentration of radioactive cesium to less than 10 Bq/kg. The adsorption was observed under neutral and alkaline conditions but not under acidic conditions. The cesium binding to steam activated broiler litter biochar appeared to be stable under alkaline conditions.