Especies invasoras, salud y conocimientos en un humedal tropical: estudio interdisciplinario en la Ciénaga de Santo Tomás

The research focused on the perceptions and practices that the population around the Ciénaga de Santo Tomás (Atlantic, North of Colombia) manifests in the face of the proliferation of invasive aquatic species and their impacts on human health. La Ciénaga is part of the floodplain of the Magdalena River, the main freshwater current in the country. Its main ecosystem services correspond to artisanal fishing, agricultural irrigation and cattle grazing. Invasive aquatic plants are the main harbors for disease-transmitting mosquitoes. The migrant population of the region inhabits the banks of the swamp and uses the water directly for their supply. This article presents the results achieved through the application of a mixed inductive methodology during 2018, with which emerging forms of knowledge and management of the environment in relation to health and disease were found. At the intersection -and sometimes contradiction- between interdisciplinary scientific knowledge and local knowledge, situations of "multisespecies mobility" stand out, which allowed discussing hypotheses such as the naturalization of risk at a longer time of exposure, due to the "performance" situations encountered. Likewise, phenomena of stigmatization of Venezuelan migrants and lack of interest in the knowledge of the environment by some women interviewed were captured, all of which shows the need to relate health problems at the local level not only with knowledge, the time of living near the Ciénaga and the perception of risk, but also with issues such as insecurity in land tenure, migrant status and gender.La investigación se concentró en las percepciones y prácticas que la población aledaña a la Ciénaga de Santo Tomás (Atlántico, Norte de Colombia) manifiesta ante la proliferación de especies acuáticas invasoras y sus impactos en la salud humana. La Ciénaga hace parte del plano inundable del río Magdalena, la principal corriente de agua dulce del país. Sus principales servicios ecosistémicos corresponden a la pesca artesanal, el riego agrícola y pastoreo de ganado. Las plantas acuáticas invasoras constituyen los principales albergues de mosquitos transmisores de enfermedades. La población migrante de la región habita las riberas de la ciénaga y usa directamente el agua para su abastecimiento. Este artículo presenta los resultados alcanzados mediante la aplicación de una metodología inductiva mixta durante el año 2018, con la que se hallaron formas emergentes de conocimiento y manejo del ambiente con relación a la salud y la enfermedad. En la intersección -y a veces contradicción- entre los conocimientos científicos interdisciplinares y los conocimientos locales, se resaltan situaciones de “movilidad multisespecies” que permitieron discutir hipótesis como la naturalización del riesgo  a mayor tiempo de exposición, debido a las situaciones de “performance” encontradas, igualmente, se captaron fenómenos de estigmatización de los migrantes venezolanos y de desinterés en el conocimiento del entorno por parte de algunas mujeres entrevistadas, todo ello muestra la necesidad de relacionar los problemas de salud a nivel local no solo con el conocimiento, el tiempo de vivir cerca de la Ciénaga y la percepción del riesgo, sino también con asuntos como la inseguridad en la tenencia de la tierra, la condición de migrante y el género.&nbsp

Chromium and Zinc removal from synthetic industrial wastewater in pilot-scale constructed wetlands planted with Cyperus odoratus L.

Introduction: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a recognized technology to treat industrial wastewater. Objective: A pilot system of two horizontal subsurface flow CWs was used to remove Cr and Zn from industrial synthetic wastewater. Method: The study was carried out at Universidad del Atlántico in Barranquilla, Colombia. Two containers of 0.375 m2 were filled with a gravel bed (~10 mm and 40% of porosity), and a 0.3 m water column. One container was planted with Cyperus odoratus L. and another without plants was used as a control. Results:  The removal efficiency of Cr and Zn was 93% and 96% in the CW planted, respectively, and 67% and 98% removal were obtained in the unplanted system with statistical differences (P<0,05). The observed difference in biomass production (0.1 and 0.6 kg/m2) could be related to seasonal weather that could have favored the growth of the plant. C. odoratus reached a Translocation Factor greater than 1.5 for Cr and Zn, which is greater than that, reported by others for Cyperus species. However, a Bioconcentration Factor > 13.6 for Zn and < 7.7 for Cr indicated that C. odoratus is an accumulator species for Cr and Zn. Sorption metal processes in gravel can be occurring due to the high removal efficiency of Zn in unplanted systems Conclusions:  These results show that C. odoratus could be recommended for use in constructed wetlands technology due to fast-growing and absorption and translocation heavy metals capacity.Introducción: Los humedales construidos (HC) son una tecnología reconocida para tratar aguas residuales industriales. Objetivo: Remover Cr y Zn del agua residual sintética a través de un sistema piloto de humedales construidos de flujo subsuperficial horizontal. Metodología: El estudio se realizó en la Universidad del Atlántico en Barranquilla, Colombia. Dos contenedores de 0,375 m2 de altura fueron rellenados con grava (~ 10 mm y 40% de porosidad) y una columna de agua de 0,3 m. Uno de los humedales se plantó con Cyperus odoratus L. y otro sin plantas se usó como control. Resultados: La eficiencia de remoción de Cr y Zn en el humedal plantado fue de 93% y 96%, respectivamente y se obtuvo 67% y 98% de remoción en el sistema sin plantar con diferencias estadísticas (P <0,05). La diferencia observada en la producción de biomasa (0,1 y 0,6 kg  m2),  estuvo relacionada con el climática estacional que pudo haber favorecido el crecimiento de la planta. C. odoratus alcanzó un Factor de Translocación mayor de 1,5 para Cr y Zn, lo cual fue mayor que el reportado para otras especies de Cyperus. Sin embargo, un factor de bioconcentración >13,6 para Zn y <7,7 para Cr indicó que C. odoratus es una especie acumuladora de Cr y Zn. Los procesos de sorción de metales en la grava pudieron ocurrir debido a la alta eficiencia de eliminación de Zn en los sistemas no plantados. Conclusiones: C. odoratus podría recomendarse para su uso en tecnología de humedales construidos debido a su capacidad de rápido crecimiento, absorción y translocación de metales pesados

Chromium and Zinc removal from synthetic industrial wastewater in pilot-scale constructed wetlands planted with Cyperus odoratus L.

Introduction: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a recognized technology to treat industrial wastewater. Objective: A pilot system of two horizontal subsurface flow CWs was used to remove Cr and Zn from industrial synthetic wastewater. Method: The study was carried out at Universidad del Atlántico in Barranquilla, Colombia. Two containers of 0.375 m2 were filled with a gravel bed (~10 mm and 40% of porosity) and a 0.3 m water column. One container was planted with Cyperus odoratus L. and another without plants was used as a control. Results:  The removal efficiency of Cr and Zn was 93% and 96% in the CW planted, respectively and 67% and 98% removal were obtained in the unplanted system with statistical differences (P<0,05). The observed difference in biomass production (0.1 and 0.6 kg/m2) could be related to seasonal weather that could have favored the growth of the plant.  C. odoratus reached a Translocation Factor greater than 1.5 for Cr and Zn, which is greater than that, reported by others for Cyperus species. However, a Bioconcentration Factor > 13.6 for Zn and < 7.7 for Cr indicated that C. odoratus is an accumulator species for Cr and Zn. Sorption metal processes in gravel can be occurring due to the high removal efficiency of Zn in unplanted systems Conclusions:  These results show that C. odoratus could be recommended for use in constructed wetlands technology due to fast-growing and absorption and translocation heavy metals capacity.Introduction: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a recognized technology to treat industrial wastewater. Objective: A pilot system of two horizontal subsurface flow CWs was used to remove Cr and Zn from industrial synthetic wastewater. Method: The study was carried out at Universidad del Atlántico in Barranquilla, Colombia. Two containers of 0.375 m2 were filled with a gravel bed (~10 mm and 40% of porosity), and a 0.3 m water column. One container was planted with Cyperus odoratus L. and another without plants was used as a control. Results:  The removal efficiency of Cr and Zn was 93% and 96% in the CW planted, respectively, and 67% and 98% removal were obtained in the unplanted system with statistical differences (P<0,05). The observed difference in biomass production (0.1 and 0.6 kg/m2) could be related to seasonal weather that could have favored the growth of the plant. C. odoratus reached a Translocation Factor greater than 1.5 for Cr and Zn, which is greater than that, reported by others for Cyperus species. However, a Bioconcentration Factor > 13.6 for Zn and < 7.7 for Cr indicated that C. odoratus is an accumulator species for Cr and Zn. Sorption metal processes in gravel can be occurring due to the high removal efficiency of Zn in unplanted systems Conclusions:  These results show that C. odoratus could be recommended for use in constructed wetlands technology due to fast-growing and absorption and translocation heavy metals capacity.    

Producción de tomate (Lycopersicum sculentum) en un humedal construido de flujo sub superficial para el tratamiento de agua residual doméstica en una comunidad rural (Colombia)

The sustainability issues related to food security and use of land, water and energy resources provide impetus to develop treatment technologies that are sensitive to these issues. To advance tropical studies, with an emphasis on sustainability, a small pilot-scale integrated wastewater treatment facility, was designed and built on a small farm in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia). The system consists of a septic tank, followed in series, by 5 subsurface-flow wetlands, a single surface-flow wetland and a terminal storage lagoon. The efficiency of the pilot plant was studied over a three-year period to evaluate water quality dynamics as a function of hydraulic loading rate, elapsed time and vegetation management. The objective of this study (year II), was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of the treatment units, planted with tomatoes (Lycopersicum sculentum). The results revealed the 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies were above 41%, coliform bacteria removal was 46 -81%. No ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) removal (< 1%) and phosphorus removal PO4−3-P was of 10%. A relatively high production of tomatoes (730 g/m2) was obtained in comparison to a traditional crop in a tropical country. These preliminary results will aid in formulating technical design criteria and operational guidelines of constructed wetland technologies for treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater below tropical conditions.Los temas de sostenibilidad relacionados con la seguridad alimentaria y el uso de los recursos como tierra, agua y energía, dan im-pulso al desarrollo de tecnologías de tratamiento sensibles a estos problemas. Para avanzar en los estudios tropicales, con énfasis en la sostenibilidad, se diseñó y construyó una pequeña instalación de tratamiento integrada de aguas residuales a escala piloto en una pequeña granja en la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia). El sistema consta de un tanque séptico, seguido en serie, por 5 hu-medales de flujo sub superficial, un humedal de flujo superficial y un estanque de almacenamiento final. La eficiencia de la planta piloto fue estudiada durante un período de tres años para evaluar la dinámica de la calidad del agua en función de la carga hidráu-lica, el tiempo transcurrido y el manejo de la vegetación. El objetivo de este estudio (año II), fue evaluar la eficacia comparativa de las unidades de tratamiento, plantadas con tomates (Lycopersicum sculentum). Los resultados revelaron que la eficiencia de la de-manda biológica de oxígeno (DBO5) y la demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) fue superior a 41% y la eliminación de bacterias coliformes estuvo entre 46 y 81%. No hubo eliminación de nitrógeno amoniacal (NH4 + -N) (<1%) y la eliminación de fósforo (PO4-3-P) fue del 10%. Una producción, relativamente alta, de tomates (730 g / m2) fue obtenida en comparación con un cultivo tradicional en un país tropical. Estos resultados preliminares ayudarán a formular criterios técnicos de diseño y directrices operacio-nales de tecnologías de humedales construidas para el tratamiento y la reutilización de aguas residuales domésticas bajo condiciones tropicales.Fil: Caselles-Osorio, Aracelly. Universidad del Atlantico; ColombiaFil: Mendoza, Gizek. Universidad del Atlantico; ColombiaFil: Simanca, Mayler. Universidad del Atlantico; ColombiaFil: Romero-Borja, Isaac. Universidad del Magdalena; ColombiaFil: Mosquera Ruiz, Jose Euliser. Universidad del Atlantico; Colombia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Eslava, Pedro. Universidad del Magdalena; Colombi

Chromium and Zinc removal from synthetic industrial wastewater in pilot-scale constructed wetlands planted with Cyperus odoratus L

Introduction: Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a recognized technology to treat industrial wastewater. Objective: A pilot system of two horizontal subsurface flow CWs was used to remove Cr and Zn from industrial synthetic wastewater. Method: The study was carried out at Universidad del Atlántico in Barranquilla, Colombia. Two containers of 0.375 m2 were filled with a gravel bed (~10 mm and 40% of porosity) and a 0.3 m water column. One container was planted with Cyperus odoratus L. and another without plants was used as a control. Results:  The removal efficiency of Cr and Zn was 93% and 96% in the CW planted, respectively and 67% and 98% removal were obtained in the unplanted system with statistical differences (P 13.6 for Zn and < 7.7 for Cr indicated that C. odoratus is an accumulator species for Cr and Zn. Sorption metal processes in gravel can be occurring due to the high removal efficiency of Zn in unplanted systems Conclusions:  These results show that C. odoratus could be recommended for use in constructed wetlands technology due to fast-growing and absorption and translocation heavy metals capacity

Sistemes naturals pel tractament d'efluents urbans i industrials

Postprint (published version

Influence of the characteristics of organic matter on the efficiency of horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands

Los sistemas de humedales construidos de flujo subsuperficial horizontal (HCFSS) constituyen una tecnología válida para la depuración de aguas residuales urbanas. Uno de los principales objetivos de estos sistemas es eliminar la materia orgánica, los sólidos y los nutrientes presentes en el agua residual decantada. La materia orgánica mineral contenida en el agua residual se compone de una mezcla compleja de sustancias de diferentes tamaño y composición química. En sistemas de tratamiento convencionales se ha demostrado que la istribución de tamaños de partículas del agua residual afluente puede afectar la eficiencia del tratamiento. Sin embargo, muy pocos estudios han sido llevados a cabo en HCFSS para determinar si los factores como la distribución de tamaño o características de la materia orgánica afectan la eficiencia del tratamiento. Por lo tanto, la hipótesis inicial de este trabajo está basada en la suposición de que en HCFSS, las características de la materia orgánica disuelta y particulada pueden afectar la eficiencia de eliminación de materia orgánica (DQO) y amonio. Los estudios realizados para probar esta hipótesis, fueron desarrollados utilizando pequeños contenedores experimentales poco profundos (0.27-0.3 m) con un área superficial de 0.54-0.77 m2. Estos sistemas fueron plantados con Phragmites australis y en la mayoría de los experimentos fueron alimentados de forma intermitente. El agua residual utilizada fue de dos tipos, sintética y agua residual urbana decantada. El agua residual sintética fue preparada con agua de grifo y compuesta de glucosa (materia orgánica fácilmente biodegradable), almidón (materia orgánica lentamente biodegradable) y nutrientes. En los capítulos 2 y 3 se hace una descripción sobre la eficiencia de los HCFSS experimentales. Estos sistemas tuvieron excelente eliminación de DQO con eficiencias entre 70 y 94% independiente del tipo de sustrato (glucosa o almidón) y de la carga orgánica superficial suministrada (5-6 g DQO/m2.d y 20-22 g DQO/m2.d). La eliminación de amonio en estos sistemas fue moderada, el sistema alimentado con glucosa tuvo mayor eficiencia (45-57%) con respecto al sistema alimentado con almidón (40-43%). La conductividad hidráulica fue menor en el sistema alimentado con glucosa, probablemente debido a un mayor crecimiento del biofilm.En los HCFSS que operaron con agua residual urbana decantada, la aplicación de un pretratamiento físico-químico no mejoró la concentración de DQO en el efluente comparado con el sistema que no recibió tratamiento físico-químico (82 vs 88%), pero redujo la turbiedad y la concentración de DQO en el afluente. La eliminación de amonio fue alta y similar en ambos sistemas con un rango entre 63 y 94%. La conductividad hidráulica fue mayor (28 m/d) en el sistema con agua residual tratada que en el sistema que no recibió tratamiento (20 m/d). Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que un pretratameinto físico-químico podría evitar la acumulación de sólidos en la zona de entrada de los HCFSS.El capítulo 5 describe un estudio diseñado para evaluar la eficiencia de eliminación en dos sistemas experimentales que operaron en forma intermitente y continua. Las tasas de eliminación de DQO fueron altas y similares en los dos sistemas con un valor promedio de 78%. La eliminación de amonio fue significativamente mas alta (PEl capítulo 6 proporciona información sobre la cantidad y calidad de sólidos acumulados en el medio granular de 6 humedales construidos a escala comercial. Los resultados de este estudio indicaron que la mayor cantidad de sólidos fue depositada en la zona de entrada (3-57 kg/m2) con diferencia significativa para la zona de salida (2-16 kg/m2). Esta alta cantidad de sólidos acumulada en la zona de entrada fue variable y estuvo relacionada con la carga orgánica y de sólidos recibida (3.1-17.5 g DQO/m2.d; 2.6-10 g SST/m2.d). El contenido de materia orgánica de los sólidos acumulados fue bajo (20%) y de difícil biodegradación tanto en condiciones aeróbicas como anaeróbicas. Los valores de conductividad hidráulica en estos sistemas fueron bajos (0-4 m/d) cerca de la zona de entrada con respecto a la zona de salida (12-200 m/d).Por último, en el capítulo 7 se enumeran las principales conclusiones de cada uno de los aspectos estudiados y se mencionan algunas sugerencias para futuras investigaciones.Subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (SSF CWs) constitute a proven technology for treatment of urban wastewater. One of the principal objectives of CW treatment is to remove organic matter, suspended solids and nutrients from the settled wastewater. The organic and mineral matter contained in urban wastewater is composed of a complexity of substances of different sizes and chemical compositions.In conventional treatment systems it has been demonstrated that the particle size-frequency distribution of the influent wastewater can affect treatment efficiency. However, very few studies have been conducted in SSF CW to determine whether factors such as the size-frequency distribution or organic matter characteristics affect treatment efficiency. Thus the initial hypothesis of this work is based on the supposition that in SSF CW systems, the characteristics of the dissolved and particulate organic matter can influence the removal of COD and ammonium of wastewater. The designed studies were conducted in small experimental SSF CW units that were shallow (0.27 and 0.3 m), and with a surface area of 0.54-0.77 m2. The SSF CWs were planted with Phragmites australis and in most of the studies the treatments received wastewater on an intermittent basis. Wastewater used in these studies was either synthetic or settled urban wastewater. The synthetic wastewater was prepared with tap water and composed of glucose (organic matter easily biodegradable), starch (organic matter slowly biodegradable) and nutrients. In Chapters 2 and 3, details are provided to illustrate that shallow SSF CW provided excellent removal of COD, with average removal rates ranging from 70 to 94% irrespective of the type of organic ubstrate (glucose vs starch) or organic loading rates (5-6 g COD/m2.d to 20-22 g COD/m2.d). The ammonium-N removal in these systems was moderate, with the glucose-fed SSF CW providing marginally better removal (45 to 57%) as compared to the starch-fed system (40 to 43%). The hydraulic conductivity was low in the system fed with glucose due to the presence of a greater growth of biofilm.In experimental SSF CW treating urban wastewater, the application of the physico-chemical pretreatment did not improve COD effluent concentrations as compared to the no-pretreatment control (82 vs 88%), but did reduce turbidity and COD concentration in the influent. The removal rates of ammonium-N were similar in both systems and ranged from 63 to 94%.The hydraulic conductivity was higher (28 m/d) in the system with treated wastewater as compared to the control (20 m/d). These results indicate that the pretreatment could possibly help to reduce pervasive solids accummulation in the inlet zone (Chapter 4).Chapter 5 describes a study designed to evaluate treatment efficiency in experimental SSF CW that were operated with either intermittent or continuous feeding. The COD removal rates were relatively high and merely identical in both systems, with an average value of 78%. Ammonium-N removal was significantly higher (PChapter 6 provides survey-type information for six full-scale SSF CW. The data indicated that the greatest amount of solids were deposited within the inlet zone (3-57 kg/m2), with significantly less solids near the outlet (2-16 kg/m2). It was apparent that the amount of solids deposited near the inlet was highly variable and was correlated with respective loading rates (3.1-17.5 g COD/m2.d; 2.6-10 g TSS/m2.d). Analyses of the accumulated solids showed them to be approximately 20% organic matter, extremely recalcitrant and difficult to degrade under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Hydraulic conductivity values were significantly lower near the inlet zone (0-4 m/d) as compared to the outlet zone (12-200 m/d).Chapter 7 lists the main conclusions for each of the chapters and provides suggestions for future investigations

Impact of prior physico-chemical treatment on the clogging process of subsurface flow constructed wetlands: model-based evaluation

The objective of this study was to check the effect of the use of a physico-chemical treatment on the clogging process of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands by means of dynamic modelling. The hydraulic submodel was based on series as well as parallel branched complete stirred tanks of equal volume. The model was validated with data obtained from 2 identical experimental wetlands, which had a surface area of 0.54 m(2) and a water depth of 0.30 m, and that were monitored over a period of 5 months. One of the wetlands was fed with settled urban wastewater, whereas the other with the same wastewater, but previously treated with a physico-chemical treatment. In the model, pore volume reduction depends on the growth of bacteria and on solids retained. The effluent concentrations of COD and ammonium in both experimental wetlands were very similar in all the conditions tested, and therefore the physico-chemical treatment did not improve the removal efficiency. The model indicated that after 120 days of operation in some regions of the wetland fed with settled wastewater the porosity decreased in a 17%, whereas in the other wetlands it only decreased as much as 6%. The use of a prior physico-chemical treatment is a good alternative for avoiding an anticipated clogging of subsurface flow constructed wetlands