Long term application of a constructed wetland for phytoremediation of domestic wastewater: macrofauna biodiversity assessment

Constructed wetlands (CW) are engineered systems, phytoremediation based, that mimic several processes (physical, biological, and chemical) that occur in natural wetlands. They comprise several components, impermeabilization liners and substrate, and as the key elements the plants and their associated microorganisms. They were thought primarily for wastewater treatment but nowadays are considered a nature-based solution of excellence in terms of flexibility of their application and services provided. In the present study, the phytoremediation potential of a real scale constructed wetland to treat wastewater from a tourism unity is addressed. The CW was implemented in 2010 at Paço de Calheiros, a tourism house integrated in a rural area. The CW was designed to be placed after a previously installed septic tank that acted as the main treatment before the CW was established. It is a horizontal subsurface flow system planted with a polyculture of Agapanthus africanus, Canna flaccida, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Canna indica, and Watsonia borbonica. The aim of the study is to monitor the efficiency of a CW, after long term operation, based on phytoremediation processes, to treat the wastewater from the tourism unit. Wastewater quality will be assessed through the analysis of physic-chemical and microbiological parameters towards its reuse for irrigation purposes. The biodiversity of macrofauna communities associated to the rhizosphere of selected plants and substrate will be studied.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Long-term performance of a real scaleconstructed wetland for wastewater treatment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Macrofauna biodiversity assessment in a real scale constructed wetland for wastewater treatment

In rural and mountain areas there is a lack of adequate infrastructures to cope with sewage. Constructed wetlands (CW) may provide a supporting solution to this problem. CWs are biological treatment systems that mimic the phytoremediation processes found in natural wetlands, with an optimized configuration, for the improvement of water quality. They comprise substrate, selected vegetation and their associated fauna and microbial communities. The aim of the present study is to assess the long-term performance of a CW implemented in a tourism unit in a rural area. The gradient effect of the nutrient load along the CW is also being investigated. The biodiversity associated to the system is also being assessed, specifically the fauna linked to the CW substrate bed. The methodological approach has followed the periodical wastewater sampling at the CW inlet and outlet, and in selected sites along the bed, in order to understand the dynamics of the treatment system. Wastewater characterization comprise the analysis of nutrients, organic contents, pH, conductivity, as well as microbial parameters, namely total coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The fauna associated to the substrate has been analysed through the periodical setup pitfall traps and through the collection of core substrate along the CW bed. The results will allow us to infer about the long-term wastewater treatment efficiency of the system and to relate it to the diversity of associated fauna of the CW and the established ecosystem. Preliminary results indicate a robust ecosystem with several trophic levels and a high biodiversity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Performance assessment of a real scale constructed wetland for wastewater treatment

Sustainable water management urges for the use and treatment of wastewater in an efficient way. Tourism units are often characterized by great variations in wastewater quantity and quality over the year. Constructed wetlands (CW) have been proposed as a nature-based solution to support the wastewater treatment from these units. In the present study, the potential wastewater treatment in a tourism unity through a real scale constructed wetland application is addressed. A CW was installed in a tourism unit in Ponte de Lima with a polyculture, delivering several ecosystem services. The aim of the study is to monitor the efficiency of the biological system, after long term operation, based on phytoremediation processes, to treat the wastewater from the tourism unit. Wastewater quality will be assessed through the analysis of physic-chemical and microbiological parameters towards its reuse for irrigation purposes. CW substrate will also be analysed concerning the enzymatic activity associated to the rhizosphere of selected plants. The work to be developed is of outmost importance since it has a real implication on the water management of a tourism unit.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio