Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater

Surface runoff in mining areas transports dissolved and suspended particles into water bodies, known as mine spoil rainwater, contributing to increases in turbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of horizontal flow wetlands, free water surface (FWS), and subsurface flow (HS...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Resources (Basel) 2024-12, Vol.13 (12), p.168
Main Authors: Gomes, Paula Cristine Silva, Rochinha, Isabela da Silva Pedro, Paiva, Marllus Henrique Ribeiro de, Santiago, Aníbal da Fonseca
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Aquatic ecosystems
Aquatic plants
Artificial wetlands
Biodiversity
colloidal particles
Constructed wetlands
Efficiency
Effluents
Environmental impact
Gravel
Hydraulic loading
hydraulic loading rate
Hydraulic retention time
Hydraulics
Indigenous species
Interception
Iron
leaf chlorophyll
Load distribution
Loading rate
Macrophytes
Mining
Performance evaluation
Pistia stratiotes
Pollutants
Precipitation
Rain
Rain water
Rain-water (Water-supply)
Retention time
root systems
Runoff
Sanitation
Sedimentation & deposition
Sediments
Soil erosion
Surface runoff
suspended solids trapping
Sustainable development
Turbidity
Wetlands
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Summary:Surface runoff in mining areas transports dissolved and suspended particles into water bodies, known as mine spoil rainwater, contributing to increases in turbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of horizontal flow wetlands, free water surface (FWS), and subsurface flow (HSSF) in reducing turbidity >1500 NTU from a synthetic mine spoil rainwater. Macrophytes, support media, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and hydraulic loading rate (HLR) were analyzed. The HSSF T. domingensis in gravel #1 achieved a 99% reduction for 4-day HRT, with residual turbidity of 7 ± 3 NTU for 27.43 L m−2 d−1 HLR. The FWS P. stratiotes achieved a 99% reduction for 6-day HRT, with residual turbidity of 11 ± 5 NTU for 36.53 L m−2 d−1 HLR. P. stratiotes free root structures promoted interception of suspended colloidal particles, resulting in a better performance. The dense root structure of T. domingensis spreading through the pores of the substrate provided better efficiency than N. humboldtiana. However, N. humboldtiana proved to be promising as a native species. The use of small granulometry alkaline support media (9 to 19 mm) was highlighted. Therefore, this research proves the efficiency of constructed wetlands in reducing high turbidity and provides optimized parameters for this technology application.
ISSN:2079-9276
2079-9276
DOI:10.3390/resources13120168