Sustainability is a central pillar of Environmental Science curricula and is therefore integrated across multiple subjects. Practical laboratory activities offer an excellent opportunity to illustrate these concepts through a real and practical case study such as the one presented here.
This article describes a practice experiment that will show the students the potential decontamination power of different biochars generated from residues (pine needles and coffee grounds). A key outcome of this initiative is demonstrating to students that the principles discussed in theoretical courses can be directly applied in the laboratory by actively carrying out the experiments themselves.
The key point is that students should understand that valorization is a very important strategy for preventing pollution and that it falls within the broader framework of circular economy principles. Special attention should also be given to emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, which represent a growing environmental concern.
The practice uses other techniques worked in the curricula. The obtained biochars will be characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy will be used to monitor the adsorption process of the pharmaceutical selected as a model emerging contaminant.
This laboratory activity is based on methodologies reported in publications from the Journal of Chemical Education, although it has been adapted to the resources and capabilities of the undergraduate teaching laboratories in which it will be implemented.
The biochars will then be brought into contact with a solution containing the selected model contaminant, for which a calibration curve has previously been established using UV-Vis spectroscopy. After varying contact times, varying the nature of the biochar, aliquots of the solution will be analysed by UV-Vis spectroscopy to monitor changes in contaminant concentration and evaluate the adsorption performance of the biochars. Using the scientific method, students will compare the efficiencies and therefore the potentials as decontaminants of biomass origin carbons.
This initiative has the potential to inspire other institutions within the EUGLOH network, as universities with similar Environmental Science or Chemistry programmes could adapt this laboratory activity to teach students the fundamental principles of the circular economy through a practical and engaging case study.
Mª Vanessa Tabernero Magro is an Associated Inorganic Chemistry Professor and Cristina de Mateo Navarro is an undergraduate Environmental Science student at the Universidad de Alcalá. Dr. Vanessa Tabernero served as Associate Dean of the Chemistry Degree Programme, and as Director of Alumni Relations and Employability at UAH. She is highly active in science communication and sustainability education, organizing activities within the Science Week (2019–2023), the European Researchers’ Night (2021), and Chemistry in Action (2018–2024) programmes. Through these initiatives, she promotes public awareness of the role of chemistry in addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable development.