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Xu W, Yang B, Wang H, Wang S, Jiao K, Zhang C, Li F, Wang H. Improving the removal efficiency of nitrogen and organics in vertical-flow constructed wetlands: the correlation of substrate, aeration and microbial activity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:21683-21693. [PMID: 36274076 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23746-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Four vertical-flow CWs (VFCWs) with different substrates and aeration conditions were studied on nutrient-removal capacity from synthetic wastewater. Zeolite substrate VFCWs (none-aerated: VFCW-1, aerated: VFCW-3) paralleled with ceramsite (none-aerated:VFCW-2, aerated: VFCW-4) were used to study the removal efficiencies of N and organics, the bacterial community, and the related functional genes. The results indicated that the pollutant removal efficiency was significantly enhanced by intermittent aeration. VFCW-4 (ceramsite with aeration) demonstrated a significant potential to remove NH4+-N (89%), NO3--N (78%), TN (71%), and COD (65%). VFCW-3 and VFCW-4 had high abundances of Amx, amoA, and nirK genes, which was related to NH4+-N and NO2--N removal. The microbial diversity and structure varied with aeration and substrate conditions. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Candidatus, and Acidobacteria were the main bacteria phyla, with the average proportion of 38%, 21%, 19%, and 7% in the VFCWs. Intermittent aeration increased the abundance of Acidobacteria, which was conducive to the removal of organic matters. Overall, ceramsite substrate combined with intermittent aeration has a great potential in removing pollutants in VFCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxue Xu
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Baoshan Yang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Carbon Sink and Capture Utilization, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China.
- Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Carbon Sink and Capture Utilization, Jinan, 250022, China.
| | - Shuzhi Wang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Keqin Jiao
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Chuanfeng Zhang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Feng Li
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Haixia Wang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
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Pucher B, Zluwa I, Spörl P, Pitha U, Langergraber G. Evaluation of the multifunctionality of a vertical greening system using different irrigation strategies on cooling, plant development and greywater use. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157842. [PMID: 35940261 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Vertical greening systems (VGS) are implemented in the building envelope to address challenges such as the urban heat island effect, energy reduction, air purification, support of biodiversity and recently greywater treatment (wastewater without urine and faeces) for reuse purposes. In this context, providing and using treated wastewater is a crucial point, as generally VGS are irrigated with tap water and thereby increase urban water depletion and pollution. In this study, we evaluate the multifunctionality of a pot-based VGS irrigated with untreated greywater and capable, as well, of acting as a greywater treatment system. The full-scale experimental system uses a low-tech irrigation technique and was investigated for different irrigation water volumes to identify the needed water demand to maximize local cooling by evapotranspiration and suitable plants for the different water conditions and water types. Plant development and greywater treatment capabilities were monitored from April 2020 until September 2021. Based on the highest irrigation volume, a local air temperature reduction of up to 3.4 °C was measured. The removal efficiencies for treating greywater were COD 80 %, TOC 74 %, TNb 70 %, NH4-N 81 % and Turbidity 79 %, respectively, and showed a decrease in the second year of operation. Therefore, the results support the need to develop more robust systems, since up to now mainly short-term experiments have been reported in literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Pucher
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Irene Zluwa
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Spörl
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Pitha
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Soil Bioengineering and Landscape Construction, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Günter Langergraber
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
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Ruiz-Ocampo H, Tondera K, Paing J, Molle P, Chazarenc F. Long-term investigations on ammonium removal with zeolite in compact vertical flow treatment wetlands under field conditions. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 85:746-755. [PMID: 35166697 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The scope of this study was to investigate if using zeolite as a reactive material in a vertical-flow wetland under field conditions improves ammonium removal from domestic wastewater in the long term. The experimental setup consisted of two pilot-scale first stage French vertical flow treatment wetlands (2.3 m2 surface area each), which were implemented under field scale conditions inside a wastewater treatment plant in the central region of France (L'Encloitre, 37360). The filters were operated during 27 months. A compact pilot containing Leca® as a main filtration layer (Ø 1-5 mm) was compared to a similar one filled with natural zeolite (Ø 2-5 mm). The pilots were fed according to regular feeding/resting periods (3½/7 days) and the nominal loading rate was of 300 g COD m-2 d-1 and 33 g·N·m-2·d-1 during operation. In both pilots, results showed a removal efficiency of more than 90 and 85% for TSS and COD, respectively. They also showed an increased NH4-N removal of 9% on average (total removal efficiency of 84%) with the use of zeolite compared to Leca®. The ion exchange capacity of zeolite seemed not to be affected after 27 months of experiments; however, the material was compacted and more friable after operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán Ruiz-Ocampo
- Institut Mines Telecom Atlantique, GEPEA, UMR CNRS 6144, 4 rue Alfred Kastler, Nantes 44307, France; CREA Step, 49 route de la Borde, Beaumont Louestault 37370, France; Circular Economy Research Center, Ecole des Ponts, Business School, Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | | | - Joëlle Paing
- CREA Step, 49 route de la Borde, Beaumont Louestault 37370, France
| | - Pascal Molle
- INRAE, REVERSAAL, Villeurbanne F-69100, France E-mail:
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Chen S, Dougherty M, Chen Z, Zuo X, He J. Managing biofilm growth and clogging to promote sustainability in an intermittent sand filter (ISF). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142477. [PMID: 33039892 PMCID: PMC7519011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The sustainability of rural sanitation includes the long-term welfare of both rural and urban societies. As a commonly used rural sanitation technology, operation of intermittent sand filters (ISF) is impacted by biofilm clogging inside the ISF. In this study ISF performance is studied at low hydraulic loading rates (HLR) to explore the interaction between biofilm growth and wastewater treatment efficiency. CW2D/HYDRUS, a simulation model which does not include media hydraulic property changes caused by biofilm growth, is utilized as a numerical control to contrast the effects of biofilm growth inside an experimental ISF. A paired experiment with simulation demonstrate that biofilm clogging comprised dominantly of heterotrophs occurred in the top layers of the ISF. Lowered HLR slows clogging development but not final clogging extent. The biofilm clogging development zone offers adequate removal of applied biodegradable COD and NH4+ - N. However, the spatial distribution of heterotrophs and biodegradable COD does not match the denitrification requirement of the resulting NO3- - N. A simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) potential is manifested in the clogging development zone, but lowered HLR reduces media moisture level to a less favorable level for denitrification. Furthermore, slowed water movement under lower HLR aggravates the accumulation of NO3- - N, which can potentially result in counterproductive salt accumulation. Since biofilm growth is a natural and self-adaptive response to wastewater application, this study suggests accepting limited, managed biofilm growth and clogging in ISFs. In addition, this study calls for further research to manage biofilm growth and clogging for long-term ISF sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Chen
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mark Dougherty
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Zhongbing Chen
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague 16500, Czech Republic
| | - Xingtao Zuo
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiajie He
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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He J, Dougherty M, Chen Z. Numerical assessment of a soil moisture controlled wastewater SDI disposal system in Alabama Black Belt Prairie. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:128210. [PMID: 33297169 PMCID: PMC7467105 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To promote the environmental sustainability of rural sanitation, a soil moisture controlled wastewater subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) dispersal system was field tested in the Black Belt Prairie of Alabama, USA. The soil moisture control strategy was designed to regulate wastewater disposal timing according to drain field conditions to prevent hydraulic overloading and corresponding environmental hazard. CW2D/HYDRUS simulation modeling was utilized to explore difficult-to-measure aspects of system performance. While the control system successfully adapted hydraulic loading rate to changing drain field conditions, saturated field conditions during the dormant season presented practical application challenges. The paired field experiment and simulation model demonstrate that soil biofilm growth was stimulated in the vicinity of drip emitters. Although biofilm growth is critical in maintaining adequate COD and NH4+-N removal efficiencies, the efficient removal of biodegradable COD itself by soil biofilm limits denitrification of formed NO3--N . Furthermore, stimulated soil biofilm growth can create soil clogging around drip emitters, which was discerned in the field experiment along with salt accumulation, both of which were verified by simulation. Comparable modeling of system performance in sand and clay media demonstrate that the placement of soil moisture sensors within the drain field can have pronounced impacts on system hydraulic performance, depending on the soil permeability. Overall, the soil moisture control strategy tested is shown as a viable supplemental technology to promote the environmental sustainability of rural sanitation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie He
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Mark Dougherty
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Zhongbing Chen
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague 16500, Czech Republic
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Wang Y, Cai Z, Sheng S, Pan F, Chen F, Fu J. Comprehensive evaluation of substrate materials for contaminants removal in constructed wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 701:134736. [PMID: 31715485 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Considerable number of studies have been carried out to develop and apply various substrate materials for constructed wetlands (CWs), however, there is a lack of method and model for comprehensive evaluation of different types of CWs substrates. To this end, this article summarized nearly all the substrate materials of CWs available in the literatures, including natural materials, agricultural/industrial wastes and artificial materials. The sources and physicochemical properties of various substrate materials, as well as their removal capacities for main water contaminants including nutrients, heavy metals, surfactants, pesticides/herbicides, emerging contaminants and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) were comprehensively described. Further, a scoring model for the substrate evaluation was constructed based on likely cost, availability, permeability, reuse and contaminant removal capacities, which can be used to select the most suitable substrate material for different considerations. The provided information and constructed model contribute to better understanding of CWs substrate for readers, and help solve practical problems on substrates selection and CWs construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhengqing Cai
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Sheng Sheng
- Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311122, China
| | - Fei Pan
- School of Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430073, China
| | - Fenfei Chen
- Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Hangzhou 311122, China
| | - Jie Fu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
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Pucher B, Langergraber G. Influence of design parameters on the treatment performance of VF wetlands - a simulation study. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2019; 80:265-273. [PMID: 31537762 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2019.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The main approach for designing vertical flow (VF) treatment wetlands is based on areal requirements ranging from 2 to 4 m2 per person equivalent (PE). Other design parameters are the granularity of the filter material, filter depth, hydraulic and organic loading rates, loading intervals, amount of single doses as well as the number of openings in the distribution pipes. The influence of these parameters is investigated by running simulations using the HYDRUS Wetland Module for three VF wetlands with different granularity of the filter material (0.06-4 mm, 1-4 mm, and 4-8 mm, respectively). For each VF wetland, simulations are carried out at different temperatures for different organic loading rates, loading intervals and number of distribution points. Using coarser filter material results in reduced removal of pollutants and higher effluent concentrations if VF wetlands are operated under the same conditions. However, the treatment efficiency can be increased by applying more loadings and/or a higher density of the distribution network. For finer filter material, longer loading intervals are suggested to guarantee sufficient aeration of the VF filter between successive loadings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Pucher
- Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria E-mail:
| | - Guenter Langergraber
- Institute for Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria E-mail:
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