Search Results (28)

This study systematically compares the environmental and economic performance of three wastewater treatment systems: constructed wetlands (CWs), microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and their integration (CW–MFC). Lab-scale units of each system were constructed using a multi-media matrix (gravel, zeolite, and granular activated carbon), composite native wetland species (Juncus effusus, Iris sp., and Typha angustifolia), carbon-based electrodes (graphite), and standard inoculum for CW and CW–MFC. The MFC system employed carbon-based electrodes and proton-exchange membrane. The experimental design included a parallel operation of all systems treating domestic wastewater under identical hydraulic and organic loading rates. Environmental impacts were quantified across construction and operational phases using life cycle assessment (LCA) with GaBi software 9.2, employing TRACI 2021 and ReCiPe 2016 methods, while techno-economic analysis (TEA) evaluated capital and operational costs. The key results indicate that CW demonstrates the lowest global warming potential (142.26 kg CO₂-eq) due to its reliance on natural biological processes. The integrated CW–MFC system achieved enhanced pollutant removal (82.8%, 87.13%, 78.13%, and 90.3% for COD, NO₃, TN, and TP) and bioenergy generation of 2.68 kWh, balancing environmental benefits with superior treatment efficiency. In contrast, the stand-alone MFC shows higher environmental burdens, primarily due to energy-intensive material requirements and fabrication processes. TEA results highlight CW as the most cost-effective solution (USD 627/m³), with CW–MFC emerging as a competitive alternative when considering environmental benefits and operational efficiencies (USD 718/m³). This study highlights the potential of hybrid systems, such as CW–MFC, to advance sustainable wastewater treatment technologies by minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing resource recovery, supporting their broader adoption in future water management strategies. Future research should focus on optimizing materials and energy use to improve scalability and feasibility. Full article

The conversion of aquatic biomass into biochar offers a sustainable strategy for improving soil fertility and mitigating ecological imbalances caused by its rapid proliferation. In this study, Typha angustifolia, a widely distributed aquatic weed, was utilized for biochar production. Three biochar types (TABC400, TABC500, and TABC600) were synthesized through pyrolysis at 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C temperature. It was hypothesized that Typha angustifolia biochar would positively influence the growth and development of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The results demonstrate that biochar yield subsequently decreases with increasing pyrolysis temperature, with the highest yield at 400 °C temperature (49.03%), followed by 500 °C (38.02%) and 600 °C temperature (32.01%). However, carbon content 67.01 to 83.12%, higher heating value (17.31 to 27.42 MJ/kg), and mineral contents (K, Mg, P, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn) increase significantly with higher pyrolysis temperature. However, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, bulk density, moisture contents, and volatile context exhibited an inverse relationship with pyrolysis temperature, highlighting biochar stability and its potential for soil amendment. Among the three synthesized biochar, the 4%TABC600 (600 °C) revealed the most substantial improvement in plant height (110.11 ± 4.12 cm), plant dry biomass (6.12 ± 0.41 gm), and chlorophyll contact (39.34 ± 3.33 SPAD values), whereas the 2% and 6% TABC600 demonstrated significant influence on fruit yield (9.11 ± 2.11 gm) and fruit weight (750.44 ± 7.83 g), and chlorophyll contact (32–38 SPAD values). Based on our results, we can conclude that Typha angustifolia biochar prepared at 600 °C (TABC600) has great potential as a biofertilizer, promoting soil fertility and growth and development of crops, particularly for vegetable cultivation such as okra. Full article

The study focused on optimizing carbon sequestration in urban artificial wetlands, using the Shanghai Fish and Dishui Lake as case studies. As cities like Shanghai experienced rapid urbanization, natural wetland areas diminished, making artificial wetlands essential for carbon storage and ecosystem preservation. The study investigated how various factors—such as plant species, wetland size, and landscape patterns—influenced carbon sequestration. Through field surveys and remote sensing, carbon density changes from 2018 to 2023 were analyzed using grid-based landscape pattern metrics. Results showed significant spatial variation in carbon sequestration, with larger, more fragmented wetland patches contributing more to carbon storage. Emergent plants, particularly Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia, demonstrated the highest carbon sequestration potential. The research proposed three optimization models (point, linear, and planar) tailored for different wetland areas, focusing on expanding plant diversity, enhancing landscape complexity, and improving patch distribution. After optimization, carbon storage in the Shanghai Fish wetland was projected to increase by 2.6 times, while Dishui Lake’s carbon storage was expected to grow by 3.5 times. The study concluded that carefully planned wetland management, emphasizing plant species selection and spatial design, could significantly enhance carbon sequestration, contributing to Shanghai’s carbon neutrality goals. The research provided valuable insights for urban ecological planning, highlighting the role of artificial wetlands in climate regulation. Full article

The Colentina River is a tributary of the Dâmbovița River in Romania, flowing through the city of Bucharest before joining the main river. It has been significantly altered by human activities, including river course fragmentation, shoreline modification, and exposure to various pollutants from local sources. Macrophytes, which are crucial biotic components, are significantly influenced by human activities. They play several important roles in lakes, such as enhancing water transparency, absorbing nutrients and carbon dioxide, and providing habitats for diverse species. This study aims to assess the structural aspects of two primary producer components (macrophytes and phytoplankton) in different sections of the Colentina River. A specific methodology was employed to evaluate macrophytes and phytoplankton, considering three habitat variables: rural, peri-urban, and urban. The principal findings indicated that anthropogenic pressures have shaped the taxonomic structure. The spatial distribution of macrophytes was found to be correlated with both the geomorphology and water quality of the ecosystems. Peri-urban and rural areas, closer to natural conditions, support greater macrophyte diversity compared to urban areas. Extended periods of eutrophication have resulted in significant growth of Chlorophyceae and Cyanobacteria, negatively impacting the ecological conditions that support macrophytes. Despite these adverse interactions, certain plants, such as Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia, have demonstrated adaptability and resilience, occupying niches even in hypereutrophic waterbodies. The varying levels of urbanization along the Colentina River have led to ecological degradation, characterized by a decline in macrophyte and phytoplankton diversity and an increase in pollution-resistant species. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable management strategies to mitigate human impacts and preserve ecosystem health. Full article

Species composition and biomass are key indicators of vegetation performance. While Phragmites australis is extensively studied worldwide, data on its communities and biomass in natural habitats are limited in the European part of the Russian Federation. This study examines P. australis-dominated communities and their biomass in wetlands along the Middle Volga River. P. australis was either the dominant or co-dominant species in seven community types. Their seasonal maximum aboveground biomass correlated with plant projective cover, being highest in Schoenoplecteto lacustris-Phragmitetum australis (mean 1.7 kg m⁻²), with nearly 100% cover, and lowest (0.5 kg m⁻²) in Spirodelo-Phragmitetum australis, with 50% cover. Compared with communities dominated by Glyceria maxima, Schoenoplectus lacustris, and Typha latifolia, those of P. australis had the highest seasonal maximum aboveground biomass in running waters (mean 1.32 kg m⁻²) but the lowest in standing waters of the Kuibyshev Reservoir (mean 0.70 kg m⁻²), likely reflecting nutrient availability. A similar pattern was observed for the dominant species alone. The mean belowground biomass of P. australis was 1.9 kg m⁻², with a belowground/aboveground ratio of 1.5. Similar values were found for S. lacustris and T. latifolia. The community types and biomass values align with those found in other European regions with warm temperate climates. Full article

Typha angustifolia L. (TA) pollen has been utilized as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating various internal and external traumas. Moreover, bioactive compounds possess diverse pharmacological activities. This study aims to evaluate the antiviral properties of TA based on its ability to generate bioenergy, capable of inhibiting viruses. TA pollens were extracted using water and ethanol solvents. These extracts were utilized to identify the phytochemical contents and correlate with the antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. HPLC analysis was conducted to identify its electron-shuttling compositions. The bioenergy-generating characteristics were determined via microbial fuel cells. The water extract (TA-W) showed higher antioxidant activity due to a higher phenolic and flavonoid content compared to the ethanol extract (TA-E). Quercetin-3-O-(2^G-α-L-rhamnosyl)-rutinoside, quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, and quercetin are the electron shuttles (ES) identified out of the 11 compounds. TA obtained a 1.39 ± 0.10 amplification factor of power generation that indicates potential bioenergy-generating and associated antiviral characteristic properties. The findings may provide a foundation for developing antiviral medications specifically designed to target virus-related diseases, while minimizing the risk of drug toxicity and reducing the costs of drug development. Full article

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and chromium in samples of sediment, water, and Typha angustifolia plants in the stream of the Drenica River were determined to assess the level of pollution. According to sediment analysis results from seven locations, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cr exceeded the permitted limits according to WHO standards from 1996. In the plant samples, the concentrations of Cd and Pb were above the allowed limits according to GD161 and ECE standards, and according the WHO standard, the water quality in the Drenica River is classified into the first, second, and third quality categories. The results of this study show the bioaccumulation coefficient in Typha angustifolia plants, and it was found that the most bioaccumulated of the metals is Cd, with a bioaccumulation coefficient (BAF) greater than 1. The pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF index), Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), potential ecological risk factor (Eif), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used in combination to assess the degree of pollution and the environmental risk presented to the freshwater ecosystem of the Drenica River. The results show that the Drenica River is mainly polluted by Ni, Cu, and Cr, reflecting substantial impacts of anthropogenic activities, including sizeable industrial effects, the development of urbanism, agricultural activities, and the deposition of waste from a ferronickel factory in the area. Full article

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) significantly contribute to atmospheric chemistry at both regional and global scales. The composition and intensity of BVOC emissions vary significantly among different plant species. Previous studies have focused on BVOC emissions from tree species, but the results of research on BVOC emissions from wetland plants are still limited. Therefore, in this study, BVOCs emitted by three aquatic plants (Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, and Iris pseudacorus) were sampled and analyzed using a dynamic headspace technique combined with GC-MS at daily scales. The diurnal observation data showed that the total BVOC emission rates of the three plants peaked with the increase in environmental factors (temperature, PAR, and water temperature). P. australis was the only of the three plants that emitted isoprene with a high rate of 48.34 μg·g⁻¹Dw·h⁻¹. Moreover, the peak emission rates of total BVOC (78.45 μg·g⁻¹Dw·h⁻¹) in P. australis were higher than most tree species. The emissions rates of volatile organic compounds, including monoterpenes, oxygenated volatile organic compounds, alkanes, and other volatile organic compounds, were statistically correlated across all species. The emission rates of isoprene from P. australis had significant associations with intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) (0.58, p < 0.05) and transpiration rate (Tr) (−0.63, p < 0.01). The emission rates of monoterpenes from P. australis were found to have a significantly positive correlation with the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) (0.58, p < 0.05) while T. angustifolia (−0.59, p < 0.05) and I. pseudacorus (−0.47, p < 0.05) showed the opposite trend. Such findings hold significance for the refinement of localized emission inventories and the development of comprehensive emission process models in future research, as BVOC emissions from wetland plants were reported here for the first time. Full article

Clarifying the carbon–nitrogen coupling pattern in wetlands is crucial for understanding the driving mechanism of wetland carbon sequestration. However, the impacts of plants and environmental factors on the coupling of carbon–nitrogen in wetland sediments are still unclear. Sediment samples from plant (Typha angustifolia and Phragmites australis)-covered habitats and bare land were collected in two constructed wetlands in northern China. The contents of different forms of carbon and nitrogen in sediments and plants, and the sediment microbial community were detected. It was found that the sediment carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios did not differ significantly in the bare sites of different wetlands, but did in the plant-covered sites, which highlighted the different role of plants in shifting the carbon–nitrogen coupling in different constructed wetlands. The effects of plants on the sediment carbon–nitrogen coupling differed in two constructed wetlands, so the structural equation model was used and found that sediment microorganisms directly affected sediment C/N ratios, while water and sediment physicochemical properties indirectly affected sediment C/N ratios by altering sediment microbial functions. Multiple linear regression models showed that water pH, sediment moisture content, water dissolved oxygen, and water depth had a greater influence on the carbon metabolism potential of the sediment microbial community, while sediment moisture content had the greatest impact on the sediment microbial nitrogen metabolism potential. The study indicates that variations in environmental conditions could alter the influence of plants on the carbon and nitrogen cycles of wetland sediments. Water environmental factors mainly affect microbial carbon metabolism functions, while soil physicochemical factors, especially water content, affect microbial carbon and nitrogen metabolism functions. Full article

Plastic waste has become a big problem for the environment globally. Biodegradable polymers are a potential replacement for plastics that can have a positive outcome both environmentally and economically. In this work, we used acid hydrolysis and alkaline treatment to extract cellulose fibers from cattails. The obtained cellulose was used as a substrate for the fabrication of cellulose film using a casting technique on plastic plates. Different concentrations of the plasticizer, glycerol, were used to prepare films for comparison, and its effects on the film’s characteristics were observed. The morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability of the cattail cellulose (CTC) films were studied using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Measurements of transparency, moisture content (MC), water solubility (MS), and water contact angle (WCA) were also performed. Introducing glycerol into the films increased the transparency, MC, and WS values, as well as the gap width between film textures. However, it resulted in a decrease in the WCA of the films, showing that the hydrophilicity of the films is increased by the addition of glycerol. The interaction between the functional groups of cellulose and glycerol was established from the ATR-FTIR and XRD data. The obtained results indicated that glycerol affected the thermal stability and the degree of crystallinity of the produced films. Accordingly, the hydrophilicity of the cellulose film was increased by increasing the glycerol content; therefore, cattail cellulose films can be used as a biodegradable alternative to plastic in the future. Full article

Decreased water levels due to climate change cause many negative effects on lake ecosystems. The aim of this study was to (a) assess the effect of the reduction of water levels on nutrient availability in the sediment in the littoral zone; (b) evaluate the effect of changes in water level on biomass productivity and nutrient concentrations in the aboveground biomass of four emergent species: Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Typha angustifolia L., Carex acutiformis L., Glyceria maxima (C. Hartm.) Holmb; and (c) assess the efficiency of the littoral zone in the reduction of nutrient pollution. The study hypothesis was that water level reduction has a positive effect on the plant biomass of high productive species. The study was carried out in the littoral zone of Tomickie Lake, situated in the western part of Poland. This lake is located in the protected area—the buffer zone of Wielkopolska National Park, and at the international level—Natura 2000. Six transects, perpendicular to the shoreline, were selected at two subzones—permanently and seasonally flooded. Analyses of nutrient concentrations in sediments and plant species were performed. The results show the higher productivity of reeds in the zone where water occurs seasonally at the site through the year, which reached 1193 g dry weight/m². The decline of the water level may lead to the increased growth of highly productive species as emergent vegetation with a broad ecological scale in terms of nutrient concentrations and changes of water depth, i.e., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. Species that prefer growth in the deeper part of the lake will be characterized by lower productivity, despite the high availability of nutrients. Changes in the availability of nutrients may cause the intensification of lake overgrowth by very productive species, which may affect biodiversity, which is particularly high in protected areas. Full article

Plant communities in North American prairie pothole wetlands vary depending on hydrology, salinity, and anthropogenic disturbance in and around the wetland. We assessed prairie pothole conditions on United States Fish and Wildlife Service fee-title lands in North Dakota and South Dakota to improve our understanding of current conditions and plant community composition. Species-level data were collected at 200 randomly chosen temporary and seasonal wetland sites located on native prairie remnants (n = 48) and previously cultivated lands that were reseeded into perennial grassland (n = 152). The majority of species surveyed appeared infrequently and were low in relative cover. The four most frequently observed species were introduced invasive species common to the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. Our results suggested relative cover of a few invasive species (i.e., Bromus inermis Leyss., Phalaris arundinacea L., and Typha ×glauca Godr. (pro sp.) [angustifolia or domingensis × latifolia]) affect patterns of plant community composition. Wetlands in native and reseeded grasslands possessed distinct plant community composition related to invasive species’ relative cover. Invasive species continue to be prevalent throughout the region and pose a major threat to biological diversity, even in protected native prairie remnants. Despite efforts to convert past agricultural land into biologically diverse, productive ecosystems, invasive species continue to dominate these landscapes and are becoming prominent in prairie potholes located in native areas. Full article

Kalametiya Lagoon, a highly threatened Sri Lankan wetland, has undergone drastic hydrological changes in recent decades, due to an upstream irrigation project. These changes led to the invasion of the lagoon water by monospecific Sonneratia caseolaris mangrove stands and Typha angustifolia reedbeds. As Kalametiya has been a nationally recognized bird sanctuary since 1984, this invasion is expected to have brought significant changes upon local avifauna. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the lagoon’s current bird diversity and distribution in relation with habitat types and environmental variables. Thirty-seven point-count stations were studied, between January and April 2022. Seventy-nine bird species, including four endemic and ten nationally threatened species, were encountered during the study period. Invertebrate feeders and polyphages were the richest and most diverse guilds. Bird communities were also found richer and more diverse in T. angustifolia reedbeds than in S. caseolaris mangroves. As feeding guild composition was significantly influenced by several environmental variables (i.e., water nitrate content, water TDS, water pH, soil pH), guilds could have great potential as bioindicators of the ecosystem if further studies are done to explore these relationships. Considering the important bird diversity found in the new habitats, this research brings additional proof that a management aiming at restoring the lagoon to its past state would bring significant changes to its avifaunal community. These changes could, in the future, be more precisely defined by a thorough comparison with past inventories of the lagoon’s bird community. Full article

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are considered as low-cost and energy-efficient wastewater treatment systems. Media selection is one of the essential technical keys for their implementation. The purpose of this work was essentially to evaluate the removal efficiency of organic pollution and nitrogen from municipal wastewater (MWW) using different selected media (gravel/gravel amended with granulated cork) in mesocosm horizontal flow constructed wetlands (HFCWs). The results showed that the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium nitrogen removal of 80.53% and 42%, respectively, were recorded in the units filled with gravel amended with cork. The influence of macrophytes (Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia) was studied and both species showed steeper efficiencies. The system was operated under different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) i.e., 6 h, 24 h, 30 h, and 48 h. The obtained results revealed that the COD removal efficiency was significantly enhanced by up to 38% counter to the ammonium rates when HRT was increased from 6 h to 48 h. Moreover, the removal efficiency of two endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) namely, bisphenol A (BPA) and diclofenac (DCF) was investigated in two selected HFCWs, at 48 h HRT. The achieved results proved the high capacity of cork for BPA and DCF removal with the removal rates of 90.95% and 89.66%, respectively. The results confirmed the role of these engineered systems, especially for EDC removal, which should be further explored. Full article

Our search for a suitable biological agent to control the tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici, was initiated in 2013. Neoseiulus californicus, Amblyseius andersoni, and Neoseiulus fallacis showed a promising pest reduction potential in a curative control strategy. Although these beneficials had a low survival on tomato and were not able to eradicate the pest, plants did not present typical TRM damage. However, their inability to establish in the tomato crop means that their commercial use would require repeated introductions, making their use too expensive for growers. Other predatory mites in the survey, such as the iolinids Homeopronematus anconai and Pronematus ubiquitus, showed the potential for a preventative strategy as they can establish and reach high densities on tomato with weekly or biweekly provision of Typha angustifolia pollen as a food source. When the tomato crop was adequately colonized by either iolinid, the development of TRM and any damage symptoms could be successfully prevented. The potential of iolinid predatory mites for biological control of eriophyids is discussed. Full article