Work

Evaluating a vertical greening system mesocosm for kitchen greywater treatment: Comparison among vegetation species in water consumption, biomass growth and pollutants uptake and removal

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The escalating climate imbalance, coupled with rising water demands in rapidly expanding urban areas, is forcing scientists and policymakers to seek alternative strategies for efficient water resource management. Nature Based Solutions (NBS) are gaining prominence due to their ability to provide multiple ecosystem services. However, the quantification of benefits and drawbacks mediated by different vegetation species remains inadequate. In this study, we investigated the performance of a pot-based vertical greening system (VGS) designed to integrate the functions of green facades with those of treatment wetlands. The VGS was vegetated with Mentha aquatica L. (hereafter Mentha), Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. (hereafter Oenanthe) and Lysimachia nummularia L. (hereafter Lysimachia), and their respective effects on water balance and mass removal of common greywater pollutants were compared. Results indicated that VGS lines vegetated with Oenanthe and Mentha exhibited comparable pollutant removals. Oenanthe showed a preference for greywater that had already undergone partial treatment, while Mentha was not affected by any pollutant load in water removal −48.1 % of total inflow– and in nutrients uptake in aboveground biomass −14.3 % N and 7 % P– due to sustained and robust growth, outperforming Oenanthe and Lysimachia. This has suggested the potential use of Oenathe in combination with Mentha for enhanced performances, particularly given Oenanthe's rapid growth in the early season and high biomass and nitrogen content following initial greywater treatment. • Mentha exceled in water removal efficiency compared to Lysimachia and Oenanthe. • Mentha was less suitable if the recovery of treated water was an objective. • Mentha more than doubled N (14 %) and P (7 %) removal compared to Oenanthe and Lysimachia • Organic compounds were removed by >85 % from kitchen greywaters.

Source: The Science of The Total Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176384

Authors: Nicola Dal Ferro, Nicola Celadon, Maurizio Borin

Institution: University of Padua

Language: English

Topic: Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990