Attenuation mechanisms and key parameters to enhance treatment performance in vegetation filters: A review.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021;
300:113752. [PMID:
34547571 DOI:
10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113752]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In times when environmental concerns are on the rise and the search of ways to reduce waste generation and to create a circular economy is booming, Nature Based Solutions (NBSs) play a very important role. Vegetation Filters (VFs) are a type of Land Application System (LAS) in which wastewater is used to irrigate a forestry plantation to treat the water and produce biomass. VFs show multiple benefits that render this technology a suitable solution for wastewater treatment, especially for scattered populations or isolated buildings that lack of connection to sewer systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive state of the art of VF implementation, highlighting the do's and don'ts for a successful performance focusing on those factors that are essential to water treatment. Results show that VFs have a great treatment capacity when all involving factors are considered, and their efficiency tends to increase with time, as the VF develops and "gets older". Indeed, the presence of fine-textured soils, the selection of a proper vegetation species, the use of pre-treated wastewater and a water balance-based irrigation schedule alternating wetting and -drying cycles are all factors that help to achieve the best performance. However, it is necessary to design and follow a simple but rigorous operation and maintenance schedule to avoid system failure, which could lead to NO3-N leaching towards groundwater.
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