Longitudinal Removal of Bisphenol-A and Nonylphenols from Pretreated Domestic Wastewater by Tropical Horizontal Sub-SurfaceConstructed Wetlands

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenols (NPs), with a high potential to cause endocrine disruption, have been identified at levels of nanograms per liter and even micrograms per liter in effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a cost-effective wastewater treatment alternative due to the low operational cost, reduced energy consumption, and lower sludge production, and have shown promising performance for treating these compounds. A CW pilot study was undertaken todetermine its potential to remove BPA and NP from municipal wastewater. Three CWs were used: the first CW was planted with Heliconia sp., a second CW was planted with Phragmites sp., and the third CW was an unplanted control. The removal efficiency of the Heliconia-CW was 73 ± 19% for BPA and 63 ± 20% for NP, which was more efficient than the Phragmites-CW (BPA 70 ± 28% and NP 52 ± 23%) and the unplanted-CW (BPA 62 ± 33% and NP 25 ± 37%). The higher capacity of the Heliconia-CW for BPA and NP removal suggests that a native plant from the tropics can contribute to a better performance of CW for removing these compounds.

Monitoring microplastic–contaminant sorption processes in real-time using membrane introduction mass spectrometry

“…However, the relatively slow sorption behaviour for this compound was unexpected given its relatively hydrophobic character (log K ow ∼ 3.80–4.77). 39 Though others have observed a correlation, log K ow has not always been observed to be a good predictor of sorption affinity. 40 This suggests that there are other factors at the microplastic–contaminant interface that may influence sorption kinetics.…”

Special Issue on Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technologies

“…Constructed wetlands are a cost-effective wastewater treatment alternative due to their low operational cost, reduced energy consumption, and low sludge production [18]. Toro-Vélez et al [19], in their study "Longitudinal Removal of Bisphenol-A and Nonylphenols from Pretreated Domestic Wastewater by Tropical Horizontal Sub-Surface Constructed Wetlands", assessed the removal of two endocrine disrupting TrOCs, namely, Bisphenol A and nonylphenols, by an alternative wastewater treatment option: a constructed wetland. Toro-Vélez et al [19] confirmed the significant removal of the target pollutants from wastewater by this process.…”

“…Toro-Vélez et al [19], in their study "Longitudinal Removal of Bisphenol-A and Nonylphenols from Pretreated Domestic Wastewater by Tropical Horizontal Sub-Surface Constructed Wetlands", assessed the removal of two endocrine disrupting TrOCs, namely, Bisphenol A and nonylphenols, by an alternative wastewater treatment option: a constructed wetland. Toro-Vélez et al [19] confirmed the significant removal of the target pollutants from wastewater by this process. Through a pilot study, they demonstrated that a native plant from the tropics could contribute to the enhanced removal of TrOCs by constructed wetlands.…”