Hydroponic materials improve organic micropollutant removal in vertical flow constructed wetlands treating wastewater

• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141388
• Publication Date: 2024-02-10T10:52:03Z
• Authors: Elackiya Sithampa...; Katarzyna Kujawa-...; Huub H.M. Rijnaarts; Nora B. Sutton
• Keywords: Constructed wetland

Unconventional substrata like activated carbon or clay beads can enhance micropollutant removal in constructed wetlands. However, hydroponic materials widely used horticulture have not yet been investigated for their potential to remove micropollutants. In addition, effect of plant species other than reeds on has sufficiently investigated. Therefore, a nature-based, post-treatment technology called improved vertical flow wetlands (CW) with (H) (CWH) was designed by employing cocopeat and mineral ornamental syngonium periwinkle. A mesocosm CWH system tested climate-controlled greenhouse 550 days its frequently found micropollutants wastewater, namely sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, diclofenac, erythromycin, carbamazepine, pyrimethanil, tebuconazole, pymetrozine, atrazine DEET from wastewater effluent. The main focus understand the contribution sorption, microbial degradation phytoremediation those It that showed capacity sorbing micropollutants, ranging between 80-99% compounds added while less 10% sorption observed wool. Additionally moderate high biological (25–60 μg compound/kg dry weight substratum/day) most studied all biotic groups. Furthermore, it could be stated plants appear an important factor removal. differences wool systems explained difference physico-chemical properties substrata, where higher water holding capacity, moisture content, nutrient organic matter intraparticle porosity surface area. This study revealed notable persistent mobile CWH, carbamazepine (80–86%) diclofenac (97–100%). These results demonstrate beneficial use as substratum more advanced