Functional role of earthworms to control the hydraulic conductivity of constructed wetlands 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Océane Gilibert ◽  
Dan Tam Costa ◽  
Sabine Sauvage ◽  
Didier Orange ◽  
Yvan Capowiez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Hyporheic Zone ◽  
Riparian Zone ◽  
Water Flux ◽  
Sediment Surface ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Organic Matter Input

<p>Wetlands are known for their natural service of water quality regulation. The hyporheic zones of the rivers filter and purify the surface water from the stream and infiltrated waters in soil nearby through the riparian zone. This purification service occurs because of a synergy between the substrate and its biodiversity (including plants, bacteria and other invertebrates). Our study deals with constructed wetlands (CW) as a nature-based solution mimicking wetlands water purification process, to purify wastewaters. The REUSE technology of CW is based on the use of specific layers of gravels and sands inside a close concrete structure, planted with specific sub-aquatic plants, where wastewaters or runoff of stormwaters are introduced to be filtered. The technology of Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands (VFCW) reproduces the water flux observed in the riparian zone with a gravity flow of water. It is composed of reeds planted on a sandy layer (Ø 0-4 mm) and succession of gravel layers. This substrate can be saturated or unsaturated to reproduce the functioning of the hyporheic zone or the riparian zone respectively. By the time, the substrate is colonized by a community of bacteria producing biofilms which capture the residual organic matter from wastewaters to mineralize them. However, the VFCW substrates tend to clog over time due to the accumulation of organic matter and biofilms. Many studies consider earthworms as one of the solutions to alleviate this clogging, thanks to their burrows recreating macropores and preferential channels which help to improve the dispersion of water into the deep soil. The main goal of this study is to assess the impact of earthworm activities on the hydraulic conductivity of columns composed with the same substrate used in the VFCW. Different densities of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were introduced (0, 100, 500, 1000 g of earthworms/m²) in these columns to be monitored for 37 days. The hydraulic conductivity was measured every 7 days, aside from day 23 with the addition of 40 g of peat bedding on column surfaces to simulate a high organic matter input. Columns with earthworm density superior to 500 g/m² shows an amelioration of their hydraulic conductivity after 21 days. These densities are also able to restore the hydraulic conductivity of the column in less than 7 days after the setting of clogged condition due to the organic matter input (peat bedding) at the sediment surface. This study showed that the burrowing activity of E. fetida improves the hydraulic flux of a sandy substrate and this impact is dependent on the earthworm density introduced. So, the addition of earthworms in the VFCW could serve as a prevention against clogging.</p>

Accumulation of organic solids in gravel-bed constructed wetlands

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris C. Tanner ◽  
James P. Sukias
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Loading Rate ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Effective Porosity ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Gravel Bed ◽  
Tracer Dispersion ◽  
Conservative Tracer ◽  
The Impact

The effects of wastewater loading rate and planting with Schoenoplectus validus (soft-stem bulrush) on the accumulation of organic matter were investigated in four pairs of gravel-bed constructed wetlands. The planted and unplanted wetland pairs, each supplied with a different hydraulic loading of dairy farm wastewaters pre-treated in an anaerobic and aerobic lagoon, had received cumulative suspended solids loadings (∼ 82% volatile) of between ∼ 1.6 and 5.4 kg m−2 over a 22 month period. Vertical and horizontal gradients of organic matter accumulation were sampled by stratified coring, and the impact of solids accumulations on wastewater residence times investigated using bromide as a conservative tracer. Mean accumulations of organic matter in the unplanted wetlands ranged between 0.4 and 2.3 kg m−2, while those in the planted wetlands reached mean levels of nearly 4 kg m−2. Highest levels were recorded in influent zones (up to 9.5 kg m−2) and in the upper 100 mm of the substratum. The effective porosity of the highest loaded wetlands was markedly reduced compared to that in the lowest loaded wetlands, with mean retention times decreasing to around half of their theoretical values (corrected for evapotranspirational water losses). The planted wetlands retained higher apparent gravel porosity, despite greater accumulations of organic matter. High evapotranspiration rates during hot summer days, markedly extended retention times and increased tracer dispersion.

Influence of peatmoss on hydraulic properties and strength of compacted soils

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama K. Nusier
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Compacted Soils ◽  
Available Water ◽  
The Impact

Due to its high organic matter content, peatmoss can be highly beneficial to agricultural soil. In this research, the impact of varying organic matter contents at different compaction efforts on water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and modulus of rupture of three soils (sandy loam, clay loam, and clay) has been investigated under laboratory conditions. Compaction changed the ability of the soils to hold water, increased modulus of rupture, and decreased the plant-available water-holding capacity of the soils. On the other hand, organic matter generally increased the ability of the soils to hold water, expanded the available water capacity, and decreased the modulus of rupture of compacted soils. Key words: Peatmoss, water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity, modulus of rupture

The Impact of Christchurch City (New Zealand) on Heavy Metals in Sediments of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 369-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Deely
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Clay Fraction ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Sediment Surface ◽  
Core Sediment ◽  
Depth Profiles ◽  
Western Area ◽  
The Impact

This paper reviews heavy metal (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) content in the clay fraction (<4 µm) of soils, suspended sediment, surface sediment, and core sediment associated with the Avon-Heathcote Estuary. Despite the estuary's low clay content (<10%), significant metal and organic matter trends are apparent in the clay fraction, which are less obvious in parallel studies of silt (4-63 µm), sand (>63 µm), and total sediment. Clay fraction depth profiles record periods of high heavy metal input in sediments deposited slowly but not in sediments deposited rapidly. Most metals, organic matter, mud, and Fe oxides accumulate in a broad anaerobic band across the western area of the estuary. Organic matter and metal concentrations are increasing towards the surface in depth profiles of this zone. This pattern combined with the increasingly eutrophic state of the estuary suggests more serious heavy metal contamination in the future.

Using Decomposition Kinetics to Model the Removal of Mine Water Pollutants in Constructed Wetlands

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Tarutis ◽  
Richard F. Unz
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Decomposition Kinetics ◽  
Dry Density ◽  
Organic Matter Concentration ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Input Variables ◽  
Reaction Stoichiometry

Although numerous mathematical models have been used to describe decomposition, few, if any, have been used to model the removal of pollutants in constructed wetlands. A steady-state model based on decomposition kinetics and reaction stoichiometry has been developed which simulates the removal of ferrous iron entering wetlands constructed for mine drainage treatment. Input variables for the model include organic matter concentration, reaction rate coefficient, porosity and dry density, and hydraulic detention time. Application of the model assumes complete anaerobic conditions within the entire substrate profile, constant temperature, no additional organic matter input, and subsurface flow only. For these ideal conditions, model simulations indicate that wetlands constructed with readily decomposable substrates rich in organic carbon are initially capable of removing far greater amounts of iron than wetlands built with less biodegradable substrates. However, after three to five years of operation this difference becomes negligible. For acceptable long-term treatment performance, therefore, periodic additions of decomposable organic matter will be required.

The impact of urban effluents on the coastal marine environment of Mediterranean islands

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. Angelidis
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Suspended Particle ◽  
Pollution Source ◽  
Mediterranean Islands ◽  
Coastal Marine Environment ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

The impact of the urban effluents of Mytilene (Lesvos island, Greece) on the receiving coastal marine environment, was evaluated by studying the quality of the city effluents (BOD5, COD, SS, heavy metals) and the marine sediments (grain size, organic matter, heavy metals). It was found that the urban effluents of Mytilene contain high organic matter and suspended particle load because of septage discharge into the sewerage network. Furthermore, although the city does not host important industrial activity, its effluents contain appreciable metal load, which is mainly associated with the particulate phase. The city effluents are discharged into the coastal marine environment and their colloidal and particulate matter after flocculation settles to the bottom, where is incorporated into the sediments. Over the years, the accumulation of organic matter and metals into the harbour mud has created a non-point pollution source in the relatively non-polluted coastal marine environment of the island. Copper and Zn were the metals which presented the higher enrichment in the sediments of the inner harbour of Mytilene.

Fish farming in Denmark: environmental impact of regulative legislation

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. M. Iversen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Freshwater Fish ◽  
Aquatic Environment ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Local Impact ◽  
The Impact

The main environmental problems associated with fish farming in Denmark are attributable to the dam, the “dead reach” and nutrient and organic matter discharge. The environmental regulation of fish farming in Denmark started with the Environmental Protection Act of 1974, the Statutory Order of 1985 forbidding wet feed, and the Action Plan on the Aquatic Environment of 1987. In the case of freshwater fish farms, the latter was implemented through the measures stipulated in the 1989 Statutory Order on Fish Farms. The impact of Danish legislative measures to reduce and regulate the environmental effects of freshwater fish farms can be summarized as follows: - the number of fish farms has been reduced from about 800 in 1974 to about 500 at present; - production has tripled since 1974 and has been stable since 1989; - a change from wet to dry feed has reduced the environmental impact of the farms; - the national goals of the Action Plan on the Aquatic Environment of 1987 for reducing fish farm discharges of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus have been fulfilled. The main remaining problems are that: - the local impact of fish farms on downstream stream quality is still much too high in about 15% of cases; - the problem of the passage of migrating invertebrates and fish is still unsolved at some farms; - the problems posed by “dead reaches” are still unsolved. It is concluded that sustainable fish farming is possible in Denmark, but with the present technology production will have to be significantly reduced.

Multiple interactions in riverine biofilms - surfactant adsorption, bacterial attachment and biodegradation

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham F. White
Keyword(s):  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Bacterial Attachment ◽  
Solid Surfaces ◽  
Sediment Surface ◽  
Liquid Interfaces ◽  
Polluted Soils ◽  
Biofilm Bacteria ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Multiple Interactions

Many organic pollutants, especially synthetic surfactants, adsorb onto solid surfaces in natural and engineered aquatic environments. Biofilm bacteria on such surfaces make major contributions to microbial heterotrophic activity and biodegradation of organic pollutants. This paper reviews evidence for multiple interactions between surfactants, biodegradative bacteria, and sediment-liquid interfaces. Biodegradable surfactants e.g. SDS, added to a river-water microcosm were rapidly adsorb to sediment surface and stimulated the indigenous bacteria to attach to the sediment particles. Recalcitrant surfactants and non-surfactant organic nutrients did not stimulate attachment Attachment of bacteria was maximal when biodegradation was fastest, and was reversed when biodegradation was complete. Dodecanol, the primary product of SDS-biodegradation, markedly stimulated attachment. When SDS was added to suspensions containing sediment and either known degraders or known non-degraders, only the degraders became attached, and attachment accelerated surfactant biodegradation to dodecanol. These cyclical cooperative interactions have implications for the design of biodegradability-tests, the impact of surfactant adjuvants on biodegradability of herbicides/pesticides formulated with surfactants, and the role of surfactants used to accelerate bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted soils.

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