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Special Issue "Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation"

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2021.

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Muhammad Arslan
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Guest Editor

Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Interests: constructed wetlands; plant-bacteria interplay; microbial ecology; phytotechnologies; sustainability

Dr. Muhammad Afzal
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Soil & Environmental Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan
Interests: Phytotechnologies, Constructed Wetlands, Floating Wetlands, Plant-Bacteria Partnership, Phytoremediation

Dr. Naser A. Anjum
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002, India
Interests: Phytoremediation; Plant Stress Physiology; Environmental Pollution; Wetlands

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

One of the major challenges faced by modern urbanized societies is to maintain clean water resources. Wastewater generated from industrial/municipal activities contains a wide range of inorganic and organic pollutants. To this end, ecofriendly remediation approaches are encouraged particularly for the countries with low economic constraints. Constructed wetlands (CWs) and its variants (e.g. floating wetlands) are among the most promising solutions for the decontamination of large water resources. These technologies are engineered variants of traditional methods of phytoremediation that aim to harness the interactions among plants, microorganisms, and water to remove the contaminants from water bodies.

This Special Issue is dedicated to all types of wetland ecotechnologies, which are available to remove a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants in the wastewater of multiple origins. This will include both passive and engineered systems for the field-scale and lab-scale investigations. In view of that, the editors of this Special Issue encourage authors to submit new quality manuscripts explaining theoretical concepts or applied science practices in the modern era of wetland engineering and functioning. The specific focus for this Special Issue is given on the environmental performance of these systems through effective plant-microbe interactions. This Issue will include full research, short communications, and critical reviews, in order to present new research results or compile previously published information in a holistic way.

References:

Afzal, M., Arslan, M.*, Müller, J. A., Shabir, G., Islam, E., Tahseen, R., Anwar-ul-Haq, M., Hashmat, A., Iqbal, S., Khan, Q (2019). Floating treatment wetlands as a suitable option for large-scale wastewater treatment. Nature Sustainability, 1-9. 10.1038/s41893-019-0350-y
Tara, N., Arslan, M., Hussain, Z., Iqbal, M., Khan, Q. M., & Afzal, M. (2019). On-site performance of floating treatment wetland macrocosms augmented with dye-degrading bacteria for the remediation of textile industry wastewater. Journal of Cleaner Production, 217, 541-548.
Fahid, M., Arslan, M., Shabir, G., Younus, S., Yasmeen, T., Rizwan, M., Siddique, K., Ahmad, S.R., Tahseen, R., Iqbal, S. and Ali, S., (2019). Phragmites australis in combination with hydrocarbons degrading bacteria is a suitable option for remediation of diesel-contaminated water in floating wetlands. Chemosphere, p.124890.
Rehman, R., Ijaz, A., Arslan, M., Afzal, M., (2019). Floating treatment wetlands as biological buoyant filters for wastewater reclamation, International Journal of Phytoremediation, DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2019.1633253
Shahid, M. J., Arslan, M., Siddique, M., Ali, S., Tahseen, R., & Afzal, M. (2019). Potentialities of floating wetlands for the treatment of polluted water of river Ravi, Pakistan. Ecological Engineering, 133, 167-176.
Hussain, Z., Arslan, M., Shabir, G., Malik, M. H., Mohsin, M., Iqbal, S., & Afzal, M. (2019). Remediation of textile bleaching effluent by bacterial augmented horizontal flow and vertical flow constructed wetlands: A comparison at pilot scale. Science of the Total Environment, 685, 370-379.
Nguyen, P. M., Afzal, M., Ullah, I., Shahid, N., Baqar, M., & Arslan, M. (2019). Removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products using constructed wetlands: effective plant-bacteria synergism may enhance degradation efficiency. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-18.
Hussain, Z., Arslan, M.,* Malik, M.H., Mohsin, M., Iqbal, S., Afzal, M., (2018). “Treatment of the textile industry effluent in a pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetland system augmented with bacterial endophytes”, Science of The Total Environment.
Hussain, Z., Arslan, M.,* Malik, M.H., Mohsin, M., Iqbal, S., Afzal, M., (2018). “Integrated perspectives on the use of bacterial endophytes in horizontal flow constructed wetlands for the treatment of liquid textile effluent: Phytoremediation advances in the field”, Journal of Environmental Management
Shahid, M.J., Arslan, M., Ali, S., Siddique, M. and Afzal, M., (2018). Floating Wetlands: A Sustainable Tool for Wastewater Treatment. CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water, 46(10), p.1800120.
Saleem, H., Rehman, K., Arslan, M.,* Afzal, M., (2018). Enhanced degradation of phenol in floating treatment wetlands by plant-bacterial synergism. International Journal of Phytoremediation.
Saleem, H., Arslan, M.,* Rehman, K., Tehseen, R., Afzal, M., (2018). Phragmites australis — a helophytic grass — can establish successful partnership with phenol-degrading bacteria in a floating treatment wetland. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences.

Dr. Muhammad Arslan
Dr. Muhammad Afzal
Dr. Naser A. Anjum
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

Ecotechnologies
Constructed wetlands
Plant-bacteria partnership
Wetland microbial ecology
Wastewater
Remediation
Sustainability

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

Open AccessArticle

Plant-Microbe Synergism in Floating Treatment Wetlands for the Enhanced Removal of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate from Water

and

Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2883; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052883 - 07 Mar 2021

Viewed by 626

Abstract

Excessive use of detergents in wide industrial processes results in unwanted surfactant pollution. Among them, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) has well-known history to be used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications. However, if discharged without treatment, it can cause toxic effects on living organisms especially to the aquatic life. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) could be a cost-effective and eco-friendly options for the treatment of wastewater containing SDS. In this study, FTWs mesocosms were established in the presence of hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria. Two plant species (Brachiaria mutica and Leptochloa fusca) were vegetated and a consortium of bacteria (Acinetobacter sp. strain BRSI56, Acinetobacter junii strain TYRH47, and Acinetobacter sp. strain CYRH21) was applied to enhance degradation in a short-time. Results illustrated that FTWs vegetated with both plants successfully removed SDS from water, however, bacterial augmentation further enhanced the removal efficiency. Maximum reduction in SDS concentration (97.5%), chemical oxygen demand (92.0%), biological oxygen demand (94.2%), and turbidity (99.4%) was observed in the water having FTWs vegetated with B. mutica and inoculated with the bacteria. The inoculated bacteria showed more survival in the roots and shoots of B. mutica as compared to L. fusca. This study concludes that FTWs have the potential for the removal of SDS from contaminated water and their remediation efficiency can be enhanced by bacterial augmentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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Open AccessArticle

Implementation of Floating Treatment Wetlands for Textile Wastewater Management: A Review

Fan Wei

Munazzam Jawad Shahid

Ghalia S. H. Alnusairi

and

Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5801; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145801 - 19 Jul 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1597

Abstract

The textile industry is one of the most chemically intensive industries, and its wastewater is comprised of harmful dyes, pigments, dissolved/suspended solids, and heavy metals. The treatment of textile wastewater has become a necessary task before discharge into the environment. The textile effluent can be treated by conventional methods, however, the limitations of these techniques are high cost, incomplete removal, and production of concentrated sludge. This review illustrates recent knowledge about the application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) for remediation of textile wastewater. The FTWs system is a potential alternative technology for textile wastewater treatment. FTWs efficiently removed the dyes, pigments, organic matter, nutrients, heavy metals, and other pollutants from the textile effluent. Plants and bacteria are essential components of FTWs, which contribute to the pollutant removal process through their physical effects and metabolic process. Plants species with extensive roots structure and large biomass are recommended for vegetation on floating mats. The pollutant removal efficiency can be enhanced by the right selection of plants, managing plant coverage, improving aeration, and inoculation by specific bacterial strains. The proper installation and maintenance practices can further enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and aesthetic value of the FTWs. Further research is suggested to develop guidelines for the selection of right plants and bacterial strains for the efficient remediation of textile effluent by FTWs at large scales. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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Open AccessArticle

Microbial Communities Associated with Acetaminophen Biodegradation from Mangrove Sediment

Chu-Wen Yang

Yi-En Chen

and

Bea-Ven Chang

Sustainability 2020, 12(13), 5410; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135410 - 04 Jul 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 730

Abstract

Acetaminophen (ACE) is a widely used medicine. Currently, concerns regarding its potential adverse effects on the environments are raised. The aim of this study was to evaluate ACE biodegradation in mangrove sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Three ACE biodegradation strategies in mangrove sediments were tested. The degradation half-lives (t_1/2) of ACE in the sediments with spent mushroom compost under aerobic conditions ranged from 3.24 ± 0.16 to 6.25 ± 0.31 d. The degradation half-lives (t_1/2) of ACE in sediments with isolated bacterial strains ranged from 2.54 ± 0.13 to 3.30 ± 0.17 d and from 2.62 ± 0.13 to 3.52 ± 0.17 d under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. The degradation half-lives (t_1/2) of ACE in sediments amended with NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄ and NaHCO₃ under anaerobic conditions ranged from 1.16 ± 0.06 to 3.05 ± 0.15 d, 2.39 ± 0.12 to 3.84 ± 0.19 d and 2.79 ± 0.14 to 10.75 ± 0.53 d, respectively. The addition of the three electron acceptors enhanced ACE degradation in mangrove sediments, where NaNO₃ yielded the best effects. Sixteen microbial genera were identified as the major members of microbial communities associated in anaerobic ACE degradation in mangrove sediments with addition of NaNO₃ and Na₂SO₄. Three (Arthrobacter, Enterobacter and Bacillus) of the sixteen microbial genera were identified in the isolated ACE-degrading bacterial strains. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Augmented Floating Treatment Wetlands for Efficient Treatment of Synthetic Textile Dye Wastewater

Muhammad Bilal Shakoor

Munazzam Jawad Shahid

Muhammad Afzal

Muhammad Arslan

Abeer Hashem

Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah

Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni

and

Parvaiz Ahmad

Sustainability 2020, 12(9), 3731; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093731 - 04 May 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1187

Abstract

Floating treatment wetland (FTW) is an innovative, cost effective and environmentally friendly option for wastewater treatment. The dyes in textile wastewater degrade water quality and pose harmful effects to living organisms. In this study, FTWs, vegetated with Phragmites australis and augmented with specific bacteria, were used to treat dye-enriched synthetic effluent. Three different types of textile wastewater were synthesized by adding three different dyes in tap water separately. The FTWs were augmented with three pollutants degrading and plant growth promoting bacterial strains (i.e., Acinetobacter junii strain NT-15, Rhodococcus sp. strain NT-39, and Pseudomonas indoloxydans strain NT-38). The water samples were analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), color, bacterial survival and heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Mn, Zn, Pb and Fe). The results indicated that the FTWs removed pollutants and color from the treated water; however, the inoculated bacteria in combination with plants further enhanced the remediation potential of floating wetlands. In FTWs with P. australis and augmented with bacterial inoculum, pH, EC, TDS, TSS, COD, BOD and color of dyes were significantly reduced as compared to only vegetated and non-vegetated floating treatment wetlands without bacterial inoculation. Similarly, the FTWs application successfully removed the heavy metal from the treated dye-enriched wastewater, predominately by FTWs inoculated with bacterial strains. The bacterial augmented vegetated FTWs, in the case of dye 1, reduced the concentration of Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn and Pb by 75%, 73.3%, 86.9%, 75%, 70% and 76.7%, respectively. Similarly, the bacterial inoculation to plants in the case of dye 2 achieved 77.5% (Cu), 73.3% (Ni), 83.3% (Zn), 77.5% (Fe), 66.7% (Mn) and 73.3% (Pb) removal rates. Likewise in the case of dye 3, which was treated with plants and inoculated bacteria, the metals removal rates were 77.5%, 73.3%, 89.7%, 81.0%, 70% and 65.5% for Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn and Pb, respectively. The inoculated bacteria showed persistence in water, in roots and in shoots of the inoculated plants. The bacteria also reduced the dye-induced toxicity and promoted plant growth for all three dyes. The overall results suggested that FTW could be a promising technology for the treatment of dye-enriched textile effluent. Further research is needed in this regard before making it commercially applicable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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Open AccessArticle

Cyperus laevigatus L. Enhances Diesel Oil Remediation in Synergism with Bacterial Inoculation in Floating Treatment Wetlands

Elsayed Fathi Abd Allah

Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni

and

Parvaiz Ahmad

Sustainability 2020, 12(6), 2353; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062353 - 18 Mar 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 861

Abstract

Diesel oil is considered a very hazardous fuel due to its adverse effect on the aquatic ecosystem, so its remediation has become the focus of much attention. Taking this into consideration, the current study was conducted to explore the synergistic applications of both plant and bacteria for cleaning up of diesel oil contaminated water. We examined that the application of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) is an economical and superlative choice for the treatment of diesel oil contaminated water. In this study, a pilot scale floating treatment wetlands system having diesel oil contaminated water (1% w/v), was adopted using Cyperus laevigatus L and a mixture of hydrocarbons degrading bacterial strains; viz., Acinetobacter sp.61KJ620863, Bacillus megaterium 65 KF478214, and Acinetobacter sp.82 KF478231. It was observed that consortium of hydrocarbons degrading bacteria improved the remediation of diesel oil in combination with Cyperus laevigatus L. Moreover, the performance of the FTWs was enhanced by colonization of bacterial strains in the root and shoot of Cyperus laevigatus L. Independently, the bacterial consortium and Cyperus laevigatus L exhibited 37.46% and 56.57% reduction in diesel oil, respectively, while 73.48% reduction in hydrocarbons was exhibited by the joint application of both plant and bacteria in FTWs. Furthermore, microbial inoculation improved the fresh biomass (11.62%), dry biomass (33.33%), and height (18.05%) of plants. Fish toxicity assay evaluated the effectiveness of FTWs by showing the extent of improvement in the water quality to a level that became safe for living organisms. The study therefore concluded that Cyperus laevigatus L augmented with hydrocarbons degrading bacterial consortium exhibited a remarkable ability to decontaminate the diesel oil from water and could enhance the FTWs performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Role of Microorganisms in the Remediation of Wastewater in Floating Treatment Wetlands: A Review

Munazzam Jawad Shahid

Ameena A. AL-surhanee

and

Sustainability 2020, 12(14), 5559; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145559 - 10 Jul 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1569

Abstract

This article provides useful information for understanding the specific role of microbes in the pollutant removal process in floating treatment wetlands (FTWs). The current literature is collected and organized to provide an insight into the specific role of microbes toward plants and pollutants. Several aspects are discussed, such as important components of FTWs, common bacterial species, rhizospheric and endophytes bacteria, and their specific role in the pollutant removal process. The roots of plants release oxygen and exudates, which act as a substrate for microbial growth. The bacteria attach themselves to the roots and form biofilms to get nutrients from the plants. Along the plants, the microbial community also influences the performance of FTWs. The bacterial community contributes to the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, toxic metals, hydrocarbon, and organic compounds. Plant–microbe interaction breaks down complex compounds into simple nutrients, mobilizes metal ions, and increases the uptake of pollutants by plants. The inoculation of the roots of plants with acclimatized microbes may improve the phytoremediation potential of FTWs. The bacteria also encourage plant growth and the bioavailability of toxic pollutants and can alleviate metal toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Application of Floating Aquatic Plants in Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Polluted Water: A Review

Mohamed M. Abdel-DAIM

May Bin-Jumah

Mirza Hasanuzzaman

and

Dimitris Kalderis

Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1927; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051927 - 03 Mar 2020

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 3756

Abstract

Heavy-metal (HM) pollution is considered a leading source of environmental contamination. Heavy-metal pollution in ground water poses a serious threat to human health and the aquatic ecosystem. Conventional treatment technologies to remove the pollutants from wastewater are usually costly, time-consuming, environmentally destructive, and mostly inefficient. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective green emerging technology with long-lasting applicability. The selection of plant species is the most significant aspect for successful phytoremediation. Aquatic plants hold steep efficiency for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and Duck weed (Lemna minor) along with some other aquatic plants are prominent metal accumulator plants for the remediation of heavy-metal polluted water. The phytoremediation potential of the aquatic plant can be further enhanced by the application of innovative approaches in phytoremediation. A summarizing review regarding the use of aquatic plants in phytoremediation is gathered in order to present the broad applicability of phytoremediation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Constructed and Floating Wetlands for Sustainable Water Reclamation)

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