Abstract
This paper presents a research study aimed at the development of a hybrid biofilter that can serve for two different applications. This is a unique approach due to the prolonged dry period in Israel covering 7-8 months of the year. The tactic suggested herein is to use the same system for stormwater harvesting/treatment during winter, and for bioremediation of nitrate-contaminated groundwater during summer. Crude cotton and Eucalyptus wood-chips served as alternative carbon sources for denitrification, and both proved to support efficient reduction of nitrate with minimal release of nitrite and organic matter. During the stage of stormwater treatment, two types of biofilter-columns (120 & 70 cm long) were tested, with a minimal saturation zone and no addition of organic carbon. Complete nitrification could be achieved, even under high instantaneous hydraulic loads for both column types. Vegetation on top of the biofilters contributed to improved removal of the nitrate formed, by plant assimilation.
Highlights
It can potentially lead to the recovery of significant amounts of water that would have been lost in the sea, through harvesting the urban stormwater and directing it into the aquifer through engineered structures termed bioretention systems or biofilters
In our study based on former experience (Aloni & Brenner, 2017), crude cotton wool was used in biofilter columns and compared to Eucalyptus wood-chips which are commonly applied in such systems
The main conclusions derived for the mode of bioremediation of nitrate-contaminated groundwater are: Use of cotton as an alternative solid carbon source in place of the traditional wood-chips was found to be feasible and yielded efficient removal of nitrate
Summary
Intensive urbanization is a global trend which cause deterioration of quality of life in the city, and increase water demand and pollution problems. In our study based on former experience (Aloni & Brenner, 2017), crude cotton wool was used in biofilter columns and compared to Eucalyptus wood-chips which are commonly applied in such systems.
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