Horizontal-flow constructed wetlands by phytoremediation using vetiver grass, common reed, and canna lily as tertiary wastewater treatment for the reduction of pollutant concentrations of ammonia, phosphates, and nitrates

• Published in: IOP conference series. Earth and environmental science 2024-07, Vol.1372 (1), p.12045
• Main Authors: Junio, C J, Ontar, P A, Rutaquio, V J, Manlapaz, J M, Braga, E B, Tugade, C, Pescos, C J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Adsorption isotherm; Advection; Ammonia; Artificial wetlands; Canna generalis; Constructed wetlands; Contaminants; Effluent standards; Effluents; Fisheries; Grasses; Guidelines; Health risks; Heavy metals; Hydraulic retention time; Isotherms; Kinetics; Metal concentrations; Natural resources; Nitrates; Nitrogen; Parameters; Phosphates; Phragmites australis; Phytoremediation; Pollutant removal; Pollutants; Pollution control; Public health; Retention; Retention time; Rivers; Tertiary treatment; Tertiary wastewater treatment; Wastewater treatment; Water discharge; Water quality; Water quality standards; Waterborne diseases; Wetlands
• ISSN: 1755-1307; 1755-1315
• DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1372/1/012045

The discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers and water bodies poses significant environmental and public health risks. High concentrations of contaminants like heavy metals and pharmaceuticals disrupt rivers, exacerbating waterborne diseases, and leading to unsafe water in the Philippines. This study proposed the use of horizontal-flow constructed wetlands as a tertiary treatment method utilizing the plants: vetiver grass, common reed, and canna lily, to reduce pollutant concentrations in wastewater. This is to ensure compliance with water quality guidelines and general effluent standards under the Class SB Category, water suitable for fishery, tourist zones, and recreational activities. The research investigated the efficiency of phytoremediation beds in removing pollutants from wastewater under fixed hydraulic retention times. The efficiency of reducing pollutants and adsorption isotherms (Freundlich and Langmuir) were calculated to analyze the results of the sampling. Phytoremediation bed 1 demonstra ted efficient ammonia removal by 64.64%. Phytoremediation bed 2 was proficient in reducing nitrates at 83.85%, while phytoremediation bed 3 effectively reduced phosphate to an average of 26.26%, achieved after a 6-hour retention time. In addition, Freundlich adsorption isotherm was observable in most parameters in phytoremediation bed 1 such as ammonia as nitrogen, TDS, COD, and DO. Phytoremediation bed 3 exhibited the same adsorption isotherm on ammonia as nitrogen. Conclusively, the phytoremediation system met the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Updated Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standard (GES) for all parameters tested.