Fate of mixed pesticides in an integrated recirculating constructed wetland (IRCW)

Abstract

In this study, three model integrated recirculating constructed wetlands (IRCWs) planted with and without Cyperus alternifolius were used to investigate their ability to remove four pesticides (chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, fenvalerate, diuron). Iron (Fe)-impregnated biochar produced by Cyperus alternifolius was added as a primary substrate. Results showed that all four pesticides were efficiently removed in the three IRCWs. The highest pesticide removals were achieved when Fe-impregnated biochar was added to the IRCW (99%), followed by the planted (64–99%) and plant-free IRCW (45–99%). The removal of pesticides in IRCWs followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of 1.5–11.6h. A mass balance study revealed that sorption (32.2–98.6%) and microbial degradation (1.3–52.8%) were the main removal processes in all IRCWs. This study suggests that the IRCW is a promising system to treat pesticide-contaminated water, and plant and Fe-impregnated biochar can enhance pesticide removal.