Cadmium Immobilization Through the Use of Biochar Created By Sludge of Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant

Back River is a tidal estuary in Baltimore County that spans 8.8 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. The watershed area is 39,075 acres and filtrates through Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) that is active for sanitation purposes. Back River WWTP is found in Baltimore, Maryland and has been operating since 1911. In recent years, Back River is considered the most polluted area streaming into the largest estuary the Chesapeake Bay. With Baltimore being a generational key contributor to industrial pollution, leaks from storm and sewer infrastructure, and other harmful impacts - the chemical compound Cadmium (Cd) is found throughout the waterways and ground. Cadmium is found in the aquatic environment from natural sources. Ingestion of cadmium via drinking water/aquatic activities can cause impact to one’s health. Cadmium is a natural element that with large traces can have a severe impact on lung damages to human health. Due to a rich history of industrialization, a way to tackle the reduction of Cd is evaluated by the use of biochar that is processed by sludge created from Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Purpose is to immobilize the composition of toxicity by sourcing and effectively extracting heavy metals for the masses. Research pertains to finding how much cadmium absorbed by sludge biochar with different pH conditions, Cd concentrations, and solid and liquid ratio.