Nutrient pollution from agricultural and urban runoff is a primary driver of harmful algal blooms (HABs), threatening water quality, ecosystems, and public health. This proposal aims to develop and evaluate a reusable, biochar-based technology for proactive nutrient capture in eutrophic waters. Biochar will be produced from forest residue biomass at three pyrolysis temperatures and functionalized using nitric acid, alkaline treatment, and iron loading to enhance adsorption of nitrogen and phosphorus. Lab-scale adsorption column tests will be used to screen performance under varying contact times and temperatures. The top-performing biochar will be used to fabricate a reusable mesh pouch, which will be evaluated in a 50–100 L mesocosm containing synthetic eutrophic water. This seed project will generate critical data on material optimization, adsorption efficiency, and deployment design. Future phases will extend the system to field testing and explore integration of slow-release algicides. By transforming low-value biomass into a high-impact water treatment solution, this project supports circular bioeconomy goals and offers a scalable, sustainable tool to mitigate HABs before they form.
