U of Iowa study reduces PCBs with biochar

Promising research from the University of Iowa shows that combining bacteria with corn kernel biochar through a bioremediation process can effectively clean up polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - a class of so-called "forever chemicals" - in soils and sediments.

David Ramotowski, a doctoral candidate in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Iowa, presented his findings during a recent Iowa Learning Farms webinar titled "Using the Fields of Opportunities to Clean Up Forever Chemicals."

PCBs are a group of manmade chemicals once widely used in building materials, oils, paints and electrical appliances. More than 40 years ago, they were banned after being linked to cancer and other serious environmental and health issues.

Known as forever chemicals because of...