Field Evaluation of Rice Husk Biochar and Pine Tree Woodchips for Removal of Tire Wear Particles from Urban Stormwater Runoff in Oxford, Mississippi (USA)

Boluwatife S. Olubusoye (), James V. Cizdziel (), Kendall Wontor, Ruojia Li, Rachel Hambuchen, Voke Tonia Aminone, Matthew T. Moore and Erin R. Bennett
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Boluwatife S. Olubusoye: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
James V. Cizdziel: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
Kendall Wontor: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
Ruojia Li: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
Rachel Hambuchen: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
Voke Tonia Aminone: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
Matthew T. Moore: Water Quality and Ecology Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oxford, MS 38655, USA
Erin R. Bennett: School of the Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: Tire wear particles (TWPs), a form of microplastics (MPs) pollution, are transported into waterbodies through stormwater runoff, leading to environmental pollution and impacts on associated biota. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of stormwater filter socks filled with rice husk biochar or pine tree woodchips in reducing TWP pollution in urban runoff in Oxford, Mississippi. Triplicate runoff samples were collected upstream and downstream of the biofilters at two sites during two storm events at peak flow within minutes of the start of the storm and after 30 min. Samples were analyzed for TWPs using a combination of stereomicroscopy, micro-attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Concentrations (TWPs/L) upstream of the biofilter were variable but highest at the start of the runoff, dropping from an average of 2811 ± 1700 to 476 ± 63 after 30 min at site 1 and from 2702 ± 353 to 2356 ± 884 at site 2. Biochar was more effective than woodchips ( p < 0.05) at removing TWPs, reducing concentrations by an average of 97.6% (first use) and 85.3% (second use) compared to 66.2% and 54.2% for woodchips, respectively. Biochar was particularly effective at removing smaller TWPs (<100 µm). Both materials became less effective with use, suggesting fewer available trapping sites and the need for removal and replacement of the material with time. Overall, this study suggests that biochar and woodchips, alone or in combination, deserve further scrutiny as a potential cost-effective and sustainable method to mitigate the transfer of TWPs to aquatic ecosystems and associated biota.

Keywords: tire and road wear particles; microplastics; water pollution; sustainable mitigation; aquatic ecosystem; biofilters (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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