Exploring the contribution of plant species in the performance of constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kulshreshtha, Niha Mohan; Verma, Vishesh; Soti, Abhishek; Brighu, Urmila; Gupta, Akhilendra Bhushan
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology reports. Volume 18(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Vertical flow constructed wetlands -- Domestic wastewater -- Phragmites australis -- Organics removal -- Nutrient removal; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biotransformation (Metabolism) -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Waste products as fuel -- Periodicals; Waste products as fuel; Organic wastes; Factory and trade waste; Biotransformation (Metabolism); Biomass energy; Agricultural wastes; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2022.101038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2589-014X

Abstract

Abstract: The selection of plants in constructed wetlands (CWs) is challenging due to limited understanding of their actual role in the organics and nutrient removal processes. This review is aimed to facilitate this process by analyzing the secondary data of 82 vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) involving seven plant species. Comparisons regarding system performance were made following appropriate data normalizations taking into account the differences in volumetric loadings instead of areal loadings. Possible relationships between macrophyte performance and their physiological characteristics and the associated microbial communities are also analyzed. The review suggests that the indirect role of macrophytes in CWs may far exceed their direct role in nutrient removal. This indirect effect is exerted through the influence of plant species on the rhizospheric microbial communities. Thus, this review underscores the requirement of more extensive studies on different plant species under controlled environments specifically for field-scale CWs. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Secondary data on 82 VFCWs analysed by appropriate data normalizations. Role of plants in removal of organics and nutrients (N, P and S) discussed. Effect of plants on rhizospheric microbial communities emphasized. Indirect role of plants may exceed direct nutrient uptake. Greenhouse gas release, economic use & energy generation aid in decision making.