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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Main Authors: Paula Cristine Silva Gomes, Isabela da Silva Pedro Rochinha, Marllus Henrique Ribeiro de Paiva, Aníbal da Fonseca Santiago
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Resources
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/13/12/168
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author Paula Cristine Silva Gomes
Isabela da Silva Pedro Rochinha
Marllus Henrique Ribeiro de Paiva
Aníbal da Fonseca Santiago
author_facet Paula Cristine Silva Gomes
Isabela da Silva Pedro Rochinha
Marllus Henrique Ribeiro de Paiva
Aníbal da Fonseca Santiago
author_sort Paula Cristine Silva Gomes
collection DOAJ
description 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 <i>T. domingensis</i> in gravel #1 achieved a 99% reduction for 4-day HRT, with residual turbidity of 7 ± 3 NTU for 27.43 L m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup> HLR. The FWS <i>P. stratiotes</i> achieved a 99% reduction for 6-day HRT, with residual turbidity of 11 ± 5 NTU for 36.53 L m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup> HLR. <i>P. stratiotes</i> free root structures promoted interception of suspended colloidal particles, resulting in a better performance. The dense root structure of <i>T. domingensis</i> spreading through the pores of the substrate provided better efficiency than <i>N. humboldtiana</i>. However, <i>N. humboldtiana</i> 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.
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spelling doaj-art-04eb9fc1d53c477bb1ffeab62479d9c52025-08-20T02:43:39ZengMDPI AGResources2079-92762024-11-01131216810.3390/resources13120168Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil RainwaterPaula Cristine Silva Gomes0Isabela da Silva Pedro Rochinha1Marllus Henrique Ribeiro de Paiva2Aníbal da Fonseca Santiago3Department of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Bauxita, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, MG, BrazilDepartment of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Bauxita, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, MG, BrazilDepartment of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Bauxita, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, MG, BrazilDepartment of Civil Engineering, Morro do Cruzeiro University Campus, Bauxita, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35402-173, MG, BrazilSurface 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 <i>T. domingensis</i> in gravel #1 achieved a 99% reduction for 4-day HRT, with residual turbidity of 7 ± 3 NTU for 27.43 L m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup> HLR. The FWS <i>P. stratiotes</i> achieved a 99% reduction for 6-day HRT, with residual turbidity of 11 ± 5 NTU for 36.53 L m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup> HLR. <i>P. stratiotes</i> free root structures promoted interception of suspended colloidal particles, resulting in a better performance. The dense root structure of <i>T. domingensis</i> spreading through the pores of the substrate provided better efficiency than <i>N. humboldtiana</i>. However, <i>N. humboldtiana</i> 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/13/12/168colloidal particleshydraulic retention timehydraulic loading rateleaf chlorophyllroot systemssuspended solids trapping
spellingShingle Paula Cristine Silva Gomes
Isabela da Silva Pedro Rochinha
Marllus Henrique Ribeiro de Paiva
Aníbal da Fonseca Santiago
Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater
Resources
colloidal particles
hydraulic retention time
hydraulic loading rate
leaf chlorophyll
root systems
suspended solids trapping
title Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater
title_full Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater
title_fullStr Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater
title_full_unstemmed Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater
title_short Performance of Different Macrophytes and Support Media in Constructed Wetlands for High Turbidity Reduction from Mine Spoil Rainwater
title_sort performance of different macrophytes and support media in constructed wetlands for high turbidity reduction from mine spoil rainwater
topic colloidal particles
hydraulic retention time
hydraulic loading rate
leaf chlorophyll
root systems
suspended solids trapping
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/13/12/168
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