History or Tragedy?: Reassessing Marlowe’s EDWARD II

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination of wastewater is a significant environmental issue due to the toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulation potential of metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). Conventional treatment methods are often costly and generate secondary pollutants. Biochar derived from bamboo has emerged as a sustainable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for heavy metal remediation. Bamboo biochar possesses a highly porous structure, large specific surface area, abundant functional groups, and excellent adsorption capacity. This review summarizes the production, physicochemical properties, adsorption mechanisms, factors affecting adsorption, modification strategies, and recent applications of bamboo biochar for heavy metal removal from wastewater.