Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bo Hu, Shanshan Hu, Jan Vymazal, Zhongbing Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and different substrate types on the purification of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in constructed wetlands. The results showed that adsorptive substrates (biochar, vermiculite, or perlite) had a greater impact on the removal of pollutants from wastewater than AMF symbiosis. Additionally, the presence of plants improved the performance of wetlands in wastewater purification.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mohamed Bayati, Thi L. Ho, Danh C. Vu, Fengzhen Wang, Elizabeth Rogers, Craig Cuvellier, Steve Huebotter, Enos C. Inniss, Ranjith Udawatta, Shibu Jose, Chung-Ho Lin
Summary: The study investigated the effectiveness of a full scale constructed wetlands treatment system in removing PPCPs from municipal wastewater. The removal efficiencies varied depending on the physico-chemical properties of the molecules, with some substances showing high removal efficiencies. Overall, the majority of the PPCPs exhibited low aquatic risk in the effluent due to the efficiency of the treatment system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Naveen Chand, Surindra Suthar, Kapil Kumar, Vineet Singh
Summary: Pharmaceutical residues pose a new threat to the environment. However, a study found that vertical flow constructed wetlands with biochar and plants can effectively remove pharmaceutical residues, and the removal efficiency is inversely proportional to the pharmaceutical concentration.
Article
Ecology
Valentina Carrillo, Yannay Casas-Ledon, Patricio Neumann, Gladys Vidal
Summary: This study examines the impact of different plant culture systems and seasonal variations on constructed wetlands. The results show that polycultures in wetlands reduce nutrient input, but have a greater global warming impact compared to monocultures. Seasonality also affects environmental performance, with better results observed in the cold season. These findings provide valuable insights for improving environmental performance and developing strategies for constructed wetlands.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mohomed Salah, Yu Zheng, Qian Wang, Chenguang Li, Yuanyuan Li, Fengmin Li
Summary: This study provides baseline data on the extent and dispersion of PPCPs in surface waters over the past ten years and identifies the mechanisms of PPCPs removal in CWs based on current research. The significant role of wetland plants in PPCPs removal is discussed, including uptake, adsorption, phytovolatilization, and biodegradation. The correlation between PPCPs characteristics, wetland configuration, and environmental conditions with PPCP removal is also assessed. The study addresses critical issues and knowledge gaps, providing a comprehensive foundation for future works on using CWs to treat PPCPs-contaminated surface waters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Basanta Kumar Biswal, Rajasekhar Balasubramanian
Summary: Constructed wetland systems utilizing natural substrates, plants, and microbes have shown to be cost-effective and sustainable for water treatment. This review critically analyzes the recent advances in applying these systems for pollutant removal and discusses key factors influencing their performance. Constructed wetland systems exhibit good performance in removing diverse pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. The review also highlights the need for further research in developing multifunctional constructed wetland systems.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Jan Vymazal
Summary: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are engineered systems that utilize natural processes for wastewater treatment. CWs take advantage of processes found in natural wetlands, but operate in a more controlled environment. They can be classified based on the presence/absence of wastewater on the wetland surface, and the direction of subsurface flow. Hybrid CWs combine different types of CW technologies. The use of CWs for wastewater treatment gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s due to stricter regulations and the application of CWs in circular economy concepts.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Olga P. Koutsou, Michail S. Fountoulakis, Christos Matsoukas, Nikolaos M. Fyllas, Athanasios S. Stasinakis
Summary: This study investigated the factors affecting N2O emissions from constructed wetlands and developed a statistical formula to estimate N2O emission factors (EFs). The application of the formula to Greek settlements predicted a significant reduction in N2O emissions if constructed wetlands were used instead of conventional wastewater treatment plants.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ushani Uthirakrishnan, Vineeth Manthapuri, Afrah Harafan, Padmanaban Velayudhaperumal Chellam, Tamilarasan Karuppiah
Summary: There is a growing demand for supply-side threats due to the degradation and reclamation of existing water bodies, leading to a global water crisis. Recycling wastewater, specifically greywater, has emerged as a simple solution to meet the increasing need for freshwater. Engineered constructed wetlands have been identified as an economically practical method to treat greywater due to their small footprint. This case study summarizes different categories of constructed wetlands, operating conditions, and the impact of biological, physical, and chemical aspects of greywater on their treatment performance. The effluent quality from various wetlands is also discussed, highlighting the potential for improved quality through the integration of disinfection.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ismael Vera-Puerto, Jose Campal, Sandra Martinez, Laura Cortes-Rico, Hadher Coy, Sheyie Tan, Carlos A. Arias, Gustavo Baquero-Rodriguez, Diego Rosso
Summary: This research evaluated the oxygen transfer efficiency in beds to be used as aerated constructed wetlands using diffused aeration systems. The results showed that oxygen transfer efficiency was negatively influenced by environmental conditions, especially altitude, and that the size of the gravel used in the bed is related to the oxygen transfer efficiency.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mauricio Reimann Nast, Gustavo Stolzenberg Colares, Enio Leandro Machado, Lucia Ribeiro Rodrigues
Summary: This study evaluates the use of bamboo species as an alternative in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment through bibliometric analysis and case study review. The study reveals the potential benefits of using bamboos in wastewater treatment, such as hyperaccumulation capacity and bioproduct generation, and identifies other promising applications. Despite promising results, further research is needed to investigate the morphological functions of bamboos in wastewater treatment with landscape integration and resource recovery.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Fan Ye, Junhong Guo, Pengfu Hou, Yongjun Wang, Fengbin Song, Peng Zhang, Xiangnan Li
Summary: In this study, melatonin was added to constructed wetland systems to investigate its effects on plant physiology, microbial enzyme activity, and microbial community structure. The results showed that melatonin treatment improved the stress tolerance and nutrient content of Phragmites australis plants, and increased the removal efficiency of NH4+-N in the constructed wetlands. Melatonin also altered the microbial composition and functions, leading to improved purification effect of the constructed wetland.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Moushumi Hazra, Himanshu Joshi, John B. Williams, Joy E. M. Watts
Summary: There is concern that the use and misuse of antibiotics can lead to an increase in antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in wastewater. Conventional wastewater treatment plants can release ARGs and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) into natural water bodies. Constructed wetlands (CWs) offer a low-cost solution for wastewater treatment and have the potential to remove nutrients, pathogens, and ARB/ARGs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tanveer Saeed, Md Jihad Miah, Tanbir Khan
Summary: This study examined the removal performance of organics and nutrients in intensified constructed wetlands, specifically tidal flow-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) and tidal flow wetlands receiving municipal wastewater. The results showed high removal rates for ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen, phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and biochemical oxygen demand under different flood periods and media variations, with TN removal reaching the highest percentage under 24-h flood periods. Tidal flow-based MFC wetlands outperformed tidal flow wetlands in TN removal due to supplementary electron production through fuel cell-based organics degradation kinetics.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ramdas Pinninti, Venkatesh Kasi, L. K. S. V. Prasad Sallangi, Sankar Rao Landa, Maheswaran Rathinasamy, Chandramouli Sangamreddi, Prasada Raju Dandu Radha
Summary: This study evaluates the performance of Canna Indica-based vertical flow wetlands for wastewater treatment, demonstrating its high removal efficiency for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus under tropical conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Monica Escola Casas, Victor Matamoros
Summary: Recent research has found that plant-root exudates can enhance the biodegradation of contaminants in constructed wetlands by stimulating plant-associated microorganisms. Experiments with two aquatic plants showed changes in root exudates upon exposure to micropollutants, indicating potential links to microbial community shifts and stress signaling. These findings suggest that plant micropollutant exposure at environmentally relevant levels can trigger alterations in root exudates, providing insights for designing new strategies to improve micropollutant degradation in nature based solutions like constructed wetlands.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Antonio Ortiz, Joan Garcia, Enrica Uggetti, Ruben Diez-Montero
Summary: This study focuses on the operation and optimization of thickening microalgal biomass in photobioreactors using agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater. Through the use of two gravity thickeners in series, the concentration of microalgae biomass was successfully improved. The study also identified key factors such as adjusting the purge flowrate, coordinating purge times and volumes, and proper operation of the scrapers for successful thickening of biomass.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hector Rodriguez-Rangel, Dulce Maria Arias, Luis Alberto Morales-Rosales, Victor Gonzalez-Huitron, Mario Valenzuela Partida, Joan Garcia
Summary: This paper develops a model to forecast biomass production in wastewater treatment systems by analyzing the accumulation of carbohydrates and using artificial intelligence algorithms. After comparing five learning models, the CNN-1D model obtains the best results.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Monica Escola Casas, Eva Larzabal, Victor Matamoros
Summary: This study investigated the effect of artificial root exudates on the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from wastewater in laboratory and real wastewater treatment conditions. The results showed that adding root exudates enhanced CEC removal in synthetic wastewater but had no effect in real wastewater. This suggests that the application of root exudates for CEC removal should be further explored under real wastewater conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Sanz, Marta Casado, Laia Navarro-Martin, Nuria Canameras, Nuria Carazo, Victor Matamoros, Josep Maria Bayona, Benjamin Pina
Summary: The spread of antibiotic resistance genes is influenced by organic fertilizers and correlated with the amount of antibiotic residues. The ARG loads in soil are relatively stable, but the loads in foodstuffs are low and unstable.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Hijosa-Valsero, Ana Paniagua-Garcia, Rebeca Diez-Antolinez
Summary: The feasibility of using vine shoots and grape must as feedstocks for succinic acid production was evaluated. The results showed that Actinobacillus succinogenes performed better in grape must fermentation, while Basfia succiniproducens had higher demand for yeast extract. In addition, vine shoots released higher concentrations of total sugars after hydrolysis, which favored succinic acid production.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruna Chyoshi, Lucia Helena Gomes Coelho, Joan Garcia, Eduardo Lucas Subtil
Summary: The Anaerobic Fluidized Membrane Bioreactor (AnFMBR) is an effective technology for removing conventional organic pollutants as well as emerging contaminants (ECs) like diclofenac and 17 beta-estradiol. However, it has lower removal efficiency for 17a-ethinylestradiol and amoxicillin. The study suggests that a combination of other treatment processes is necessary to prevent the release of these contaminants into the environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lorenzo Rambaldo, Hector Avila, Monica Escola Casas, Miriam Guivernau, Marc Vinas, Rosa Trobajo, Javier Perez-Burillo, David G. Mann, Belen Fernandez, Carme Biel, Luigi Rizzo, Josep M. Bayona, Victor Matamoros
Summary: Groundwater pollution has increased due to intensified agricultural and livestock activities, leading to a reduction in freshwater resources. This study investigated a green technology using a photobioreactor and cork filter to remove pollutants from groundwater. The results showed that the technology was moderately effective in removing nitrates, antibiotics, and pesticides, but its efficiency decreased with shorter hydraulic retention time, with pesticides being the most affected compounds.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
V. Matamoros, M. Escola Casas, S. Mansilla, D. Tadic, N. Canameras, N. Carazo, J. Portugal, B. Pina, S. Diez, J. M. Bayona
Summary: This study conducted a plot-scale research on crop cultivation using organic fertilizers containing antibiotics and found that while organic fertilizers increased the concentration of antibiotics in lettuce leaves, it did not pose a risk to human health.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Pedro N. Carvalho, Victor Matamoros
Article
Energy & Fuels
D. Carrillo-Pena, A. Escapa, M. Hijosa-Valsero, A. Paniagua-Garcia, R. Diez-Antolinez, R. Mateos
Summary: Integrating a microbial electrolysis cell with an anaerobic digestion system is an efficient way to treat organic liquid waste and achieve higher methane production.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paula Ortega, Elena Sanchez, Emilio Gil, Victor Matamoros
Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of using cover crops as an agricultural practice in vineyards to protect soil and groundwater pollution caused by fungicides. The results showed that cover crops significantly reduced leaching of certain fungicides and enhanced their degradation in the soil.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Thalita Gouveia Castilho, Jose Alberto Domingues Rodrigues, Joan Garcia, Eduardo Lucas Subtil
Summary: In recent years, research has shown that the addition of conductive materials can significantly improve anaerobic digestion and methane production. However, there are still questions regarding the mechanism and impact of material properties on methanogenic pathways. A systematic review and statistical analysis of recent studies found that the use of conductive materials is associated with changes in the microbial community and that millimeter-scale materials may be more effective in increasing methane production. Overall, the use of conductive materials shows promise in improving anaerobic digestion and methane production.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Hijosa-Valsero, Ana I. Paniagua-Garcia, Rebeca Diez-Antolinez
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of cell immobilization in erythritol production for the first time. The use of immobilized cells resulted in similar erythritol concentration and yield compared to free cells, indicating the efficiency of the immobilization system as well as cost reduction in reagents and energy.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eva Gonzalez-Flo, Antonio Ortiz, Carlos A. Arias, Ruben Diez-Montero, Norbert Kohlheb, Ulf-Henning Schauser, Joan Garcia, Peder K. S. Gregersen
Summary: The management and disposal of wastewater treatment sludge can be a costly and resource-intensive process. Sludge Treatment Wetlands (STW) offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for enhancing sludge quality. A study evaluated the effectiveness of a full-scale STW in stabilizing and dewatering digested microalgal biomass, finding that it was a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for land application.