The physical properties and adsorption capacity of unfermented sludge based biochar (SBC) and fermented sludge based biochar (FSBC) to ammonia and total phosphorus were investigated. Also

their adsorption capacities were compared with commercial activated carbon (CAC). The results indicated that the fermentation was favor of the development of pore structure

and the specific surface area and pore volume of FSBC were higher than that of SBC. The adsorption capacity of phosphate among three carbon materials was FSBC > SBC > CAC

indicating chemical adsorption is the major type for the phosphorous. For ammonia

the result was CAC > FSBC > SBC

suggesting that the adsorption is largely dependent on the physical adsorption. The FSBC adsorption capacity to ammonia and phosphorus was enhanced compared with SBC. When applied in the authentic wastewater

the removal sequence of ammonia and phosphorus was CAC > FSBC > SBC. The phosphorus removal efficiency by CAC and FSBC was 31% and 27%

respectively. And the ammonia removal efficiency by CAC and FSBC was 7% and 4%

respectively. The ammonia and total phosphorus adsorption capacities by FSBC were closed to CAC

which indicated that as a low cost product from the sewage sludge

FSBC was promising for the adsorption of ammonia nitrogen and phosphorus in the future research.