Abstract
The role of plants in the treatment of effluents by constructed wetland (CW) systems is under debate. Here, we review ways in which plants can affect CW processes and suggest two novel functions for plants in CWs. The first is salt phytoremediation by halophytes. We have strong evidence that halophytic plants can reduce wastewater salinity by accumulating salts in their tissues. Our studies have shown that Bassia indica, a halophytic annual, is capable of salt phytoremediation, accumulating sodium to up to 10% of its dry weight. The second novel use of plants in CWs is as phytoindicators of water quality. We demonstrate that accumulation of H2O2, a marker for plant stress, is reduced in the in successive treatment stages, where water quality is improved. It is recommended that monitoring and management of CWs consider the potential of plants as phytoremediators and phytoindicators.
Highlights
A constructed wetland (CW) system is a man-made complex that mimics the structure of natural wetlands to serve as a wastewater filter [1]
We demonstrate the role of a halophyte for salt phytoremediation and in the second, we test the role of plants as bioindicators of CWs
Our results provided evidence of two basic traits for salt phytoremediation: survival of the plant in the treated media and high accumulation rate of the desired pollutant (NaCl). This approach was successfully tested in three on-site CWs in which the presence of B. indica reduced wastewater salinity as compared to “traditionally” planted controls [34]
Summary
A constructed wetland (CW) system is a man-made complex that mimics the structure of natural wetlands to serve as a wastewater filter [1]. Brix [2,3], who pointed out plants’ potential roles in CWs; Stottmeister et al [4] who published an updated review and elaborated further on the physical effects of root structure; Brisson and Chazarenc [5], who focused on the effect of plant species composition in CWs; Langergraber [6] who concluded (based on a computer model) that nutrient uptake by plants has only a minor effect on water treatment in comparison to the applied loads, and very recently, Vymazal [7] who published a thorough literature review on plants’ role in horizontal subsurface CWs. Plants are an important component of wetland systems [8].
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