Effectiveness and Temporal Variation of a Full-Scale Horizontal Constructed Wetland in Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Domestic Wastewater

Mesquita, Conceição; Albuquerque, António; Amaral, Leonor; Nogueira, R.

doi:10.3390/chemengineering2010003

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…The release of antibiotics (such as phytometallophores and phytochelatins) by the roots of plants [83], plant cover, settlement of microorganisms, exposure to abiotic stress conditions such as pH, temperature, and oxygen concentration can play important roles in the reduction of coliforms [84,85]. In addition, many of these factors are interrelated [86][87][88].…”

Section: Fecal Coliformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands

et al. 2018

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Abstract:The high costs involved in treating wastewater are problems that developing countries confront, mainly in rural areas. Therefore, Constructed Wetlands (CWs), which are composed of substrate, vegetation, and microorganisms, are an economically and ecologically viable option for wastewater treatment in these places. There is a wide variety of possibilities for substrates and ornamental plants that have not yet been evaluated to be implemented in future CW designs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the process of adaptation and removal of wastewater pollutants in CW microcosms using different terrestrial ornamental plants (Lavandula sp., Spathiphyllum wallisii, and Zantedeschia aethiopica). Those plants were sown in two types of substrate: red volcanic gravel (RVG) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). CWs with vegetation reduced 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) by 68% with RVG substrate and 63% with PET substrate, nitrates 50% in RVG substrate and 35% in PET substrate, phosphates 38% in RVG substrate and 35% in PET substrate, and fecal coliforms 64% in RVG and 59% in PET substrate). In control microcosms without vegetation, reductions were significantly lower than those in the presence of plants, with reduction of BOD 5 by 61% in RVG substrate and 55% in PET substrate, nitrates 26% in RVG substrate and 22% in PET substrate, phosphates 27% in RVG substrate and 25% in PET substrate. Concerning fecal coliforms 62% were removed in RVG substrate and 59% in PET substrate. Regarding the production of flowers, Lavandula sp. did not manage to adapt and died 45 days after sowing and did not produce flowers. Spathiphyllum wallisii produced 12 flowers in RVG and nine flowers in PET, while Zantedeschia aethiopica produced 10 in RVG and 7 in PET. These results showed that the use of substrates made of RVG and PET is a viable alternative to be implemented in CWs. In addition, the reuse of PET is an option that decreases pollution by garbage. The plants Spathiphyllum wallisii and Zantedeschia aethiopica remarkably contribute in the removal of pollutants in wastewater. Additionally, the use of ornamental plants, with commercial interest such as those evaluated, enables an added value to the CW to be given, which can be used for flower production purposes on a larger scale and favor its acceptance within rural communities.

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Section: Fecal Coliformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands

et al. 2018

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“…Overall, this study showed that large‐scale HSSF CWs with either gravel or slag as substratum, could achieve comparable pollutant removal efficiencies and provide a feasible solution for remediation of polluted urban water. Mesquita et al (2018) reported inadequate removal of nutrients from HFCW used for secondary treatment of domestic wastewater. The reason was seasonal temperature variation, high HLR, and low HRT.…”

Section: Materials Study In Cwsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Materials in constructed wetlands for wastewater remediation: A review

Patyal

Jaspal

Khare

2021

Water Environment Research

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The wastewater treatment industry is constantly evolving to abate emerging contaminants and to meet stringent legislative requirements. The existing technologies need to be modified, or new innovative treatment techniques need to be developed to ensure environmental protection and secure sustainability in the future. Emphasis is mainly on nutrient recovery, energy‐efficient systems, zero waste generation, and environmentally friendly techniques. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have evolved as natural, eco‐friendly, economical, and low‐maintenance alternatives for wastewater remediation. These wetlands employ several materials as adsorbents for the treatment, commonly known as media/substrate. This review paper presents an assessment of various materials that can be used as substrates in CWs for the efficient removal of organic and non‐biodegradable pollutants in different types of wastewaters. The effect of pH, mineral composition, specific surface area, and porosity of various natural materials and agricultural and industrial wastes used as media in CWs for wastewater remediation was discussed. The study showed that different substrates like alum sludge, limestone, coal slags, rice husk, and sand had removal efficiency for chemical oxygen demand (COD): 71.8%–82%, total phosphorous (TP): 77%–80%, and total nitrogen (TN): 52%–82% for different types of wastewaters. It also highlights the challenges related to the long‐term sustainability of these materials. Practitioner points Physicochemical characteristics influence the removal efficiency of the materials Life of media is also important along with removal efficiency and cost The sustainability of materials is very crucial for the overall performance of the system

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“…The focus is being placed on process optimization, rather than on cost-saving [2,5]. There is still a need for more information regarding nutrient removal, polishing treatments and operational costs of nature-based wastewater treatment technologies, as noted in studies [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Although there is a wide variety of chemical and biological technologies for nutrient removal, these processes normally entail high operational and investment costs that narrow profit margins.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is often necessary to include artificial aeration or chemical additions for improving treatments, which leads to high energy consumption besides being ineffective for carbon sequestration. By contrast, natural solutions based on constructed wetlands have proved to be very effective in removing organics and nitrogen, but still require energy consumption for effluent recirculation and evapotranspiration dependence [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Assessment of Energy Consumption in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Applicability of Alternative Nature-Based Technologies in Portugal

Santos

Albuquerque²,

Lisboa³

et al. 2022

Water

Self Cite

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Understanding how to address today’s global challenges is critical to improving corporate performance in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. In wastewater treatment systems, such an approach implies integrating efficient treatment technologies with aspects of the circular economy. In this business field, energy costs represent a large share of operating costs. This work discusses technological and management aspects leading to greater energy savings in Portuguese wastewater treatment companies. A mixed methodology, involving qualitative and quantitative aspects, for collecting and analysing data from wastewater treatment plants was used. The qualitative aspects consisted of a narrative analysis of the information available on reports and websites for 11 wastewater management companies in Portugal (e.g., technologies, treated wastewater volumes and operating costs) followed by a review of several international studies. The quantitative approach involved calculating the specific energy consumption (kWh/m3), energy operating costs (EUR/m3) and energy operating costs per population equivalent (EUR/inhabitants) using data from the literature and from Portuguese companies collected from the SABI database. The results suggested that the most environmentally and economically sustainable solution is algae-based technology which might allow a reduction in energy operating costs between 0.05–0.41 EUR/m3 and 15.4-180.8 EUR/inhabitants compared to activated sludge and other conventional methods. This technology, in addition to being financially advantageous, provides the ability to eliminate the carbon footprint and the valorisation of algae biomass, suggesting that this biotechnology is starting to position itself as a mandatory future solution in the wastewater treatment sector.

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Effectiveness and Temporal Variation of a Full-Scale Horizontal Constructed Wetland in Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Domestic Wastewater

Cited by 17 publications

References 44 publications

Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands

Effects of the Use of Ornamental Plants and Different Substrates in the Removal of Wastewater Pollutants through Microcosms of Constructed Wetlands

Materials in constructed wetlands for wastewater remediation: A review

Economic Assessment of Energy Consumption in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Applicability of Alternative Nature-Based Technologies in Portugal

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