Loading...
10 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
- Evaluation of different substrates to support the growth of Typha latifolia in constructed wetlands treating tannery wastewater over long-term operationPublication . Calheiros, Cristina S. C.; Rangel, António O. S. S.; Castro, Paula M. L.The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands planted with Typha latifolia treating tannery wastewater under long-term operation. Two expanded clay aggregates (Filtralite® MR3–8-FMR and Filtralite® NR3–8-FNR) and a fine gravel-FG were used as substrate for the constructed wetland units plus one unit with FMR was left as an unvegetated control. The systems were subject to three hydraulic loadings, 18,8 and 6cm d⁻¹, and to periods of interruption in the feed. The relationship between the substrate, plant development and removal efficiency, especially of organic matter, was investigated. Organic loadings up to 1800 kg BOD5 ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 3849 kg COD ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ were applied leading to mass removals of up to 652 kg BOD₅ ha⁻¹ d⁻¹ and 1869 kg COD ha⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively. The three different substrates were adequate for the establishment of T. latifolia, although the clay aggregates allowed for higher plant propagation levels. The units with FNR and FMR achieved significantly higher COD and BOD₅ removal when compared to the FG and to the unplanted units. The systems proved to be tolerant to high organic loadings and to interruptions in feed suggesting this technology as a viable option for the biological treatment of tannery wastewater.
- The effects of tannery wastewater on the development of different plant species and chromium accumulation in phragmites australisPublication . Calheiros, Cristina S. C.; Rangel, António O. S. S.; Castro, Paula M. L.Toxicity tests were performed to assess the effect of tannery wastewater with different treatment levels on two wetland plants, Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia, which are frequently used in constructed wetlands (CWs) for water treatment, and thus deepen the knowledge on their capacity to withstand the application of industrial wastewater. Trifolium pratense, a plant generally used as an indicator in toxicity tests, was included as a control. End points measured were germination percentage, shoot length, root elongation, and biomass growth of the plants. When tannery effluent, with a low treatment level, was supplied to the wetland plants germination occurred even at effluent concentrations of 100%, whereas germination of T. pratense was completely inhibited, almost invariably, at effluent concentration of 50%. Higher germination levels were achieved when the plants were exposed to effluent originating from the outlet of constructed wetland pilot units, allowing germination of all tested plants, indicating a significant decrease in its toxicity level. Experiments conducted with the same plants using different growing substrata as the germination matrix, namely expanded clay aggregates (Filtralite® MR3-8 and Filtralite® NR3-8) and two types of sand (fine gravel and standard sand) have shown that higher germination levels were achieved in standard sand and that P. australis was the plant species showing higher germination in all cases, reinforcing the robustness of this plant to environmental stress. The phytoextraction potential of P. australis, was evaluated by subjecting the plant to tannery wastewater supplemented with 50 and 150 mg Cr/L. After 6 weeks of exposure, levels up to 4825, 883, and 627 mg Cr/kg were found in the rhizome, shoot, and leaves, respectively, although phytotoxic signs in the plant were evident. This plant might not be considered a chromium hyperacumulator, but the potential to extract and accumulate this metal on its rhizomes is high.
- Assessment of culturable endophytic community of Canna flaccida plants growing in a constructed wetlandPublication . Calheiros, Cristina; Pereira, Sofia; Castro, Paula M. L.Sustainable water management urges for the treatment of wastewater in an efficient way. With the latter purpose, ecotechnologies arise as promising solutions for rural and mountain areas lacking a sewage network. Constructed wetlands (CW) coupled with preliminary/primary systems foresee enhancement of the water quality and its possible reuse. The challenge presented in this work reflects the application of a CW to domestic wastewater treatment coming from a tourism house, situated in a rural area. The use of different ornamental plants species to treat the wastewater was an important component of the system, increasing biodiversity and supporting the local ecosystem. Performance of the CW was assessed in terms of physic-chemical and microbial parameters. The endophytic culturable bacteria of a selected plant species, Canna flaccida, were evaluated.
- Bacterial community dynamics in constructed wetlands with different plants for the polishing of high salinity industrial wastewaterPublication . Calheiros, C. S. C.; Teixeira, A.; Pires, C.; Franco, A. R.; Crispim, L. F. C.; Moura, S. G. C.; Castro, P. M. L.
- Constructed wetland pilot units for wastewater treatment in the tannery industryPublication . Calheiros, Cristina S. C.; Rangel, António O. S. S.; Castro, Paula M. L.Constructed wetlands can be used for primary and secondary treatment of domestic wastewaters and for the treatment of a variety of other water sources including stormwaters, landfill leachate, industrial and agricultural wastewaters and acid mine drainage. For the treatment of tannery wastewater no detailed studies using constructed wetlands are known in the literature. Frequent problems occur in this industry concerning the effluent with high organic loadings. In these situations, a constructed wetland can be potentially used to support the existing wastewater treatment. The present study refers to the applicability of subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetlands for the treatment of tannery wastewater in two series of pilot units planted with Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis. The units were subject to different hydraulic loadings, 180 mm/d and 60 mm/d, and the organic matter removal efficiency was evaluated. The average COD for the inflow of the units was 1579 mg/l for an hydraulic loading of 180mm/d (1421 KgCOD/had) and 1297 mg/l for an hydraulic loading of 60mm/d (385 KgCOD/had). Maximum removal efficiencies, in terms of COD, for hydraulic loading of 180 and 60 mm/d in Typha unit were 63% and 92%, respectively. For Phragmites, the maximum values were 64% and 92%. The decrease in COD, BOD5 and TSS at the outflow of the units was found to increase with their influent values in a linear correlation. This behavior corresponds to a first order kinetics, showing that the pollutant removal rate was proportional to the influent strength. There was no significant difference between the two systems in series, indicating that the type of plant did not influence the treatment performance.
- Constructed wetlands for freshwater and saline aquaculture wastewater treatment: a microcosm experiencePublication . Jesus, J. M.; Borges, M. T.; Calheiros, C.; Castro, P. M. L.
- Constructed wetland systems vegetated with different plants applied to the treatment of tannery wastewaterPublication . Calheiros, Cristina S.C.; Rangel, António O.S.S.; Castro, Paula M.L.Wastewaters from leather processing are very complex and lead to water pollution if discharged untreated, especially due to its high organic loading. In this study the survival of different plant species in subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetlands receiving tannery wastewater was investigated. Five pilot units were vegetated with Canna indica, Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, Stenotaphrum secundatum and Iris pseudacorus, and a sixth unit was left as an unvegetated control. The treatment performance of the systems under two different hydraulic loading rates, 3 and 6 cmd1, was assessed. COD was reduced by 41–73% for an inlet organic loading varying between 332 and 1602 kg ha1 d1 and BOD5 was reduced by 41–58% for an inlet organic loading varying between 218 and 780 kg ha 1 d1. Nutrient removal occurred to lower extents. Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia were the only plants that were able to establish successfully. Despite the high removal of organic content from the influent wastewater, during 17 months of operation, no significant differences in performance were observed between units.
- Changes in the bacterial community structure in two-stage constructed wetlands with different plants for industrial wastewater treatmentPublication . Calheiros, Cristina S.C.; Duque, Anouk F.; Moura, Alexandra; Henriques, Isabel S.; Correia, António; Rangel, António O.S.S.; Castro, Paula M.L.This study focused on the diversity of bacterial communities from two series of two-stage constructed wetlands (CWs) treating tannery wastewater, under different hydraulic conditions. Series were separately planted with Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis in expanded clay aggregates and operated for 31 months. The effect of plant species, hydraulic loading and unit stage on bacterial communities was addressed through bacterial enumeration and denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Diverse and distinct bacterial communities were found in each system unit, which was related in part to the type of plant and stage position (first or second unit in the series). Numerical analysis of DGGE profiles showed high diversity in each unit with an even distribution of species. No clear relation was established between the sample collection time, hydraulic loading applied and the bacterial diversity. Isolates retrieved from plant roots and substrates of CWs were affiliated with c-Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, a-Proteobacteria, Sphingobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Both series were effective in removing organic matter from the inlet wastewater, however, based on batch degradation experiments it seems that biodegradation was limited by the recalcitrant properties of the wastewater
- Treatment of industrial wastewater with two-stage constructed wetlands planted with typha latifolia and phragmites australisPublication . Calheiros, Cristina S.C.; Rangel, António O.S.S.; Castro, Paula M.L.Industrial wastewater treatment comprises several processes to fulfill the discharge permits or to enable the reuse of wastewater. For tannery wastewater, constructed wetlands (CWs) may be an interesting treatment option. Two-stage series of horizontal subsurface flow CWs with Phragmites australis (UP series) and Typha latifolia (UT series) provided high removal of organics from tannery wastewater, up to 88% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) (from an inlet of 420 to 1000 mg L-1) and 92% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (from an inlet of 808 to 2449 mg L-1), and of other contaminants, such as nitrogen, operating at hydraulic retention times of 2, 5 and 7 days. No significant (P < 0.05) differences in performance were found between both the series. Overall mass removals of up to 1294 kg COD ha-1 d-1 and 529 kg BOD5 h-1 d-1 were achieved for a loading ranging from 242 to 1925 kg COD ha-1 d-1 and from 126 to 900 kg BOD5 ha-1 d-1. Plants were resilient to the conditions imposed, however P. australis exceeded T. latifolia in terms of propagation.
- Bacterial community dynamics in horizontal flow constructed wetlands with different plants for high salinity industrial wastewater polishingPublication . Calheiros, C.S.C.; Teixeira, A.; Pires, C.; Franco, A.R.; Duque, A.F.; Crispim, L.F.C.; Moura, S.C.; Castro, P.M.L.This study is focused on the diversity of bacterial communities from two series of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (CW) polishing high salinity tannery wastewater. Each series was planted with Arundo donax or Sarcocornia sp. in a substrate composed by expanded clay and sand. Chemical and biochemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies were similar in each series, varying between 58 and 67% (inlet COD 218 ± 28 mg L−1) and 60 and 77% (inlet BOD5 37 ± 6 mg L−1), respectively. High numbers of culturable bacteria were obtained from substrate and root samples – 5.75 × 106-3.95 × 108 CFU g−1 recovered on marine agar and 1.72 × 107-8.46 × 108 CFU g−1 on nutrient agar. Fifty bacterial isolates were retrieved from the CW, related phylogenetically to Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria. Changes in the bacterial communities, from roots and substrate of each series, related to the plant species, hydraulic loading rates and along CW operation were examined using denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The clustering analysis suggested that a diverse and distinct bacterial community inhabits each series, which was related to the type of plant present in each CW.