ISHS Acta Horticulturae 457: Symposium on Plant Biotechnology as a tool for the Exploitation of Mountain Lands
PHYTOREMEDIATION BY CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS: ASSESSMENT OF BIOPEDOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR RESOURCE-EFFICIENT FARMING WITH LIVESTOCK |
| Authors: | P. Kowalik, I. Toczylowska, G. Vola, R. Scalenghe, V. Boero, R. Ambrosoli, E. Zanini, A. C. Edwards |
| Keywords: | Water quality, phytoremediation, constructed wetlands, pedo-technology, mountain lands |
| Abstract:
It has long been known that planted vegetative filters can be extremely effective in the removal of sediment from surface runoff water. Wetland systems, if irrigated by waste water, may eliminate organic substances and nutrients, and pathogens. This elimination is accomplished by diverse mechanisms: sedimentation, filtration, chemical precipitation and adsorption, microbial biofilm interactions, and uptake by vegetation. Both natural and constructed wetlands have been used as waste water treatment systems, and it is generally found that both systems may act as efficient methods for water purification and nutrient removal. Although constructed wetlands have been studied for waste water treatment for about twenty years, relatively little is known about their potential for treatment of point source pollution. The research is focused on quantifying the magnitude and the hydraulic flow of waste water in a reed-bed in order to reduce organic matter and nutrient contamination by sedimentation and precipitation. The main goal is to reduce environmental impacts of animal wastes on water quality by using low cost and sustainable techniques, based on highly efficient treatment and pre-treatment, in areas with intensive cattle farming and high risk of groundwater contamination. | |
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