Enhancement of nitrates removal in pilot-scale treatment wetland systems

The primary objective of the present study is to enhance the denitrification process in constructed wetlands (CWs), employed as an ecological and natural technology for wastewater treatment. Eco-friendly approaches have been tested to improve the nitrate removal efficiency in pilot-scale subsurface...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ben Saad, Marwa, Ben Said, Myriam, Morató Farreras, Jordi|||0000-0003-2588-8846, Bousselmi, Latifa, Ghrabi, Ahmed
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/415045
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/415045
https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2024.2313342
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Sewage -- Purification
Nitrates
Wetland conservation
Constructed wetlands
Bio-inoculation
Constructed wetland
Cork
Nitrate removal
Aigües residuals -- Depuració
Nitrats
Zones humides -- Protecció
Zones humides artificials
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria química::Química inorgànica
Descripción
Sumario:The primary objective of the present study is to enhance the denitrification process in constructed wetlands (CWs), employed as an ecological and natural technology for wastewater treatment. Eco-friendly approaches have been tested to improve the nitrate removal efficiency in pilot-scale subsurface flow CWs. Initially, the system’s performance was enhanced by using a natural substrate, namely cork, as a filter medium. Another approach is bio-inoculation into the rhizosphere of a bacterial strain with the potential capacity for nitrate removal, thereby reinforcing the synergy between the plant and microorganisms. Finally, the approaches were combined, and nitrate removal was assessed. The main results showed that the most effective nitrate removal from wastewater was achieved with cork (80%) compared to gravel (60%). Bio-inoculation into the rhizosphere of denitrifying bacteria significantly improved nitrate removal. Indeed, the nitrate removal rate by the inoculated CW filled with gravel, was higher than the non-inoculated system, with rates of 78% and 60%, respectively. Moreover, the highest removal rate of 99.77% was obtained with the inoculated system filled with cork.