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Biochars are the new generation of sustainable soil amendments which may be applied both to fertilize and remediate the impacted soils. The aim of current research has been synthesis and characterization of pulp and paper-derived biochars and determination of their mechanisms in simultaneous immobilization of heavy metals (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺) within contaminated soil. In a novel attempt, three different solid wastes of Mazandaran Wood and Paper Industries (barks and effluent sludge) were utilized to produce biochars.

The thermogravimetric behavior of the three selected biomasses were initially analyzed and the proper pyrolysis condition has been determined, accordingly. Alterations in surface active groups, before and after the pyrolysis process, have been detected by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy …