Phytoremediation performance of Acorus calamus and Canna indica for the treatment of primary treated domestic sewage through vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands: a field-scale study

Abstract

Under the present investigation, vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VSSFCWs) planted with macrophytes treated domestic sewage in an environmentally sustainable manner. Treatment of domestic sewage with wetlands is an alternative method that decreases energy consumption and economic costs involved in the treatment of environmental contaminants. This study evaluates the potential efficiency of VSSFCWs using two different macrophytes, Acorus calamus and Canna indica for the treatment of domestic sewage. To perform this study, two chambers of VSSFCWs of dimensions 2.48 m × 1.24 m × 1.54 m were built. The wetland was fed with the primary treated sewage at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.67 m3/h (hours) in a batch flow. Treatment of primary sewage was observed from day 1 to day 6; once a day (i.e. 24 h to 144 h). The treatment of sewage was found to be significant up to day 6 (144 h); beyond this time, no significant removal was observed. The results revealed that both the wetland setups performed significant removal of TDS, BOD5, total nitrogen, and phosphate. The wetland planted with Canna indica was a better performer for the removal of TDS (22.31%), BOD5 (81.79%), total nitrogen (60.37%), and phosphate (80%).

Utilization of constructed wetland for the removal of heavy metal through fly ash bricks manufactured using harvested plant biomass

“…As a result of the current findings, plants play an important role in the removal of Cu, Cr, Fe and Zn from primary treated sewage mixed heavy metals effluent. Similar findings were also being reported by previous researchers (Barya, Gupta, Thakur, et al, 2020; Hui et al, 2005; Yadav et al, 2012; Zhang et al, 2020).…”

Domestic wastewater reduction using constructed wetlands

“…Despite the potential of this method for wastewater reclamation, phytoremediation is only successful in shallow and deep locations, where plant roots may develop and employ plant remediation systems that prevent toxins from seeping into groundwater [11,12]. Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly technology based on plants (aquatic and semiaquatic) and microorganisms in water degraded from the soil, sediment, and aquatic plants [13][14][15]. One currently used technique that is becoming increasingly important in phytoremediation is the creation of wetlands for wastewater treatment [16,17].…”

Potential of Canna indica in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: A Review

“…They work by mimicking natural wetlands processes in a somewhat more controlled environment [2]. Water and wastewater treatment in CW is enabled via a variety of physical, chemical, and biological processes [3,4]. The root zone (or rhizosphere) is the active reaction area of CWs.…”