Effects of biomass co-pyrolysis and herbaceous plant colonization on the transformation of tailings into soil like substrate.

Enhancing soil organic matter characteristics, ameliorating physical structure, mitigating heavy metal toxicity, and hastening mineral weathering processes are crucial approaches to accomplish the transition of tailings substrate to a soil-like substrate. The incorporation of biomass co-pyrolysis and plant colonization has been established to be a significant factor in soil substrate formation and soil pollutant remediation. Despite this, there is presently an absence of research efforts aimed at synergistically utilizing these two technologies to expedite the process of mining tailings soil substrate formation. The current study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of geochemical changes and rapid mineral weathering during the process of transforming tailings substrate into a soil-like substrate, under the combined effects of biomass co-smoldering pyrolysis and plant colonization. The findings of this study suggest that the incorporation of smoldering pyrolysis and plant colonization induces a high-temperature effect and biological effects, which enhance the physical and chemical properties of tailings, while simultaneously accelerating the rate of mineral weathering. Notable improvements include the amelioration of extreme pH levels, nutrient enrichment, the formation of aggregates, and an increase in enzyme activity, all of which collectively demonstrate the successful attainment of tailings substrate reconstruction. Evidence of the accelerated weathering was verified by phase and surface morphology analysis using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Discovered corrosion and fragmentation on the surface of minerals. The weathering resulted in corrosion and fragmentation of the surface of the treated mineral. This study confirms that co-smoldering pyrolysis of biomass, combined with plant colonization, can effectively promote the transformation of tailings into soil-like substrates. This method has can effectively address the key challenges that have previously hindered sustainable development of the mining industry and provides a novel approach for ecological restoration of tailings deposits.

Phenol preparation from catalytic pyrolysis of palm kernel shell at low temperatures.

In the present study, the characteristics of phenol preparation from palm kernel shell (PKS) pyrolysis at the temperature range of 265-320 °C were investigated using TG-FTIR-MS analyses, based on the analysis about the decomposition characteristics of PKS comparing to other biomass samples. The GC-MS analysis was subsequently employed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the phenol in bio-oils from PKS catalytic pyrolysis at 265-320 °C. Two significant weight loss peaks with the closer values were observed in DTG curve of PKS that differentiated with other samples, which was mainly attributed to the content and especially the structural characteristics of lignin in the PKS. Phenol was mainly in bio-oils from decomposition of the "first weight loss peak" during PKS pyrolysis at 265-320 °C. The relative content in bio-oil, selectivity in phenolic compounds, and mass yield of phenol from PKS catalytic pyrolysis with CaO could reach to 83.21 area%, 100%, and 0.0075 g/(g biomass), respectively.