Order Removal Rate Research Articles

Computational fluid dynamics modeling of floating treatment wetland retrofitted stormwater pond: Investigation on design configurations

Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) is a cost-effective and easy-to-retrofit device for stormwater treatment. Its treatment efficiency largely depends on the fraction of inflow entering FTW and the residence time within it. Thus hydrodynamics play a crucial role, which is affected by the design configurations of FTW and stormwater pond. Despite a spike in research on FTWs, very little is known about how various design configurations affect treatment efficiency by an FTW. Our study hypothesizes that relative positions of FTW geometry, FTW position and pond inlet–outlet have impact on the hydrodynamics and as a consequence, treatment efficiency. To explore these design features, we employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling conducted in ANSYS Fluent, validated by experimental data to examine the impact of the aforementioned design features. The results revealed that circular FTW geometry positioned near inlet coupled with center inlet–side outlet configuration achieved the highest removal (94.8%) for a non-dimensional removal rate of krtHRT = 20 (kr is the first order removal rate in per day, tHRT is the nominal hydraulic residence time of the pond in days). Far side inlet–side outlet configuration performed the worst due to profound promotion of short-circuiting. FTW positioned near inlet performed better (61.8% mass removal on an average) than center (42.7%) and near outlet positions (54.1%) for krtHRT = 20. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the treatment efficiency is most sensitive to inlet–outlet configurations. The design implications of this study will help practitioners achieving better water quality and ecological improvement goals.

Photo-electrocatalytic based removal of acetaminophen: Application of visible light driven heterojunction based BiVO4/BiOI photoanode

The presence of organic micro-pollutants (OMPs) in wastewater treatment effluents is becoming a major threat to the water safety for aquatic and human health. Photo-electrocatalytic based advanced oxidation process (AOP) is one of the emerging and effective techniques to degrade OMPs through oxidative mechanism. This study investigated the application of heterojunction based BiVO4/BiOI photoanode for acetaminophen (40 μg L−1) removal in demineralized water. Photoanodes were fabricated by electrodeposition of BiVO4 and BiOI photocatalytic layers. Optical (UV–vis diffusive reflectance spectroscopy), structural (XRD, SEM, EDX) and opto-electronic (IPCE) characterization confirmed the successful formation of heterojunction for enhanced charge separation efficiency. The heterojunction photoanode showed incident photon to current conversion efficiency of 16% (λmax = 390 nm) at an external voltage of 1 V under AM 1.5 standard illumination. The application of the BiVO4/BiOI photoanode in the removal of acetaminophen at 1 V (external bias) vs Ag/AgCl under simulated sunlight showed 87% removal efficiency within the first 120 min compared to 66% removal efficiency of the BiVO4 photoanode. Similarly, combining BiVO4 and BiOI exhibited 57% increase in first order removal rate coefficient compared to BiVO4. The photoanodes also showed moderate stability and reusability by showing 26% decrease in overall degradation efficiency after three cycles of each 5 h experiment. The results obtained in this study can be considered as a stepping stone towards the effective removal of acetaminophen as an OMP present in wastewater.

Taguchi L16 (44) orthogonal array-based study and thermodynamics analysis for electro-Fenton process treatment of textile industrial dye

Abstract Reactive orange 16 (RO16) is the most widely used azo dye in Textile industry. Complex aromatic structures and resistivity to biological decay caused the dye pollutants incompletely treated by the conventional oxidative methods. The current study presents the electro-Fenton-based advanced oxidation treatment of RO16 dye and the process optimization by Taguchi-based design of experiment (DOE). Using a 500 mL volume lab-scale experimental setup, the process was first studied for the principal operational parameters (initial dye concentration (q); [H2O2]/[Fe+2] (R); current density (ρ); and temperature (T)) effect on decolourization (D R ) and COD removal (C R ). Then, by means of the L16 (44) orthogonal array (OA) formation, standard mean and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, the process was optimized for the response variables. The result showed the optimized result at q = 100 mg/L, R = 100, ρ = 8 mA/cm2, and T = 32 °C; with D R and C R as 90.023 and 84.344%, respectively. It was found that the current density affects the process most, followed by [H2O2]/[Fe+2] ratio, initial dye concentration, and temperature i.e., ρ > R > q > T. Also, with the analysis of variance (ANOVA), model equations for D R and C R were developed and its accuracy was verified for experimental results. At optimized conditions, the first order removal rate constants (k a ) were found from batch results. Additionally, the thermodynamic constants (ΔH e , ΔS e , and ΔG b ) were also calculated for the nature of heat-energy involved and temperature effect study on dye degradation. The results showed that the process was thermodynamically feasible, endothermic, and non-spontaneous with a lower energy barrier (E A = 46.7 kJ mol−1).

Dual Function of Sugarcane Bagasse Ash in Removing Au(III) from Aqueous Solution

Removal of Au(III) on a purified bagasse ash (BA) has been examined. The purified BA adsorbent was prepared through purification of a crude BA obtained from Madukismo sugarcane industry, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, using a mixed solution of HCl 0.1 M and HF 0.3 M and followed by HNO3 3 M. The HCl-HF-HNO3 purified BA contained quartz with silanol (Si-OH) and siloxane (Si-O-Si) functional groups and aromatic component. Removal of Au(III) on the HCl-HF-HNO3 purified BA was maximum at pH 4.2 with siloxane and silanol functional groups, but not aromatic component, took important role on the removal. At this optimum pH, the removal of Au(III) on the HCl-HF-HNO3 purified BA fitter to the second order removal kinetics model than the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetics models indicating that adsorption was not the only mechanism for the Au(III) removal. The second order removal rate constants (k2) of Au(III) by HCl-HF-HNO3 purified BA was 3.32 x 102 L/mol min. In fact, reduction of Au(III) to Au metal also occurred as an addition to adsorption for the removal of Au(III) from aqueous solution.

Removal of dissolved selenium by siderite, pyrite, and sphalerite: Implications to selenium sequestration in water-saturated, anoxic coal waste rock

The mechanisms of abiotic sequestration of Se(VI) and Se(IV) on a sample of coal waste rock collected from the Elk Valley, Canada and on three pure mineral species (i.e., siderite, pyrite, and sphalerite) present in coal waste rock were assessed using sterile batch testing under water-saturated, anoxic conditions. Only siderite removed measurable Se(VI) from the test solutions with ~90% removal after 100 d attributed to initial adsorption to the siderite surface as Se(VI) and subsequent reduction to Se(IV) and Se(0). In contrast to Se(VI), all samples removed Se(IV) from the aqueous solutions. The rate of Se(IV) removal was pyrite > siderite > waste rock > sphalerite. The waste rock sample removed Se(IV) from solution in two stages: up to ~40% of the aqueous Se(IV) was rapidly removed (by day 1) followed by slower removal of Se(IV) with up to ~97% removal after 99 d. Se(IV) removal is attributed to the adsorption of Se(IV) and subsequent reduction to Se(0) onto the siderite and pyrite phases of the waste rock. The initial (1 d) removal of Se(IV) by waste rock was characterized using a distribution coefficient (Kd) of 15.5 L/kg. Longer-term Se(IV) removal was fitted with zero and first order removal rates. The removal of Se(IV) by sphalerite was minor and deemed to have a minimal effect on Se sequestration in the waste rock. Desorption tests on waste rock showed that the fraction of sequestered Se susceptible to desorption decreased with time as adsorbed Se(IV) was reduced to insoluble Se(0). These findings show that abiotic Se sequestration can occur in saturated, anoxic zones in coal waste rock dumps.

PHYTOPRODUCTION OF IRON NANOPARTICLES FOR METHYL ORANGE REMOVAL AND ITS OPTIMIZATION STUDIES

In the present study, iron nanoparticles have been synthesized using the leaf extract of potential weed Datura inoxia to evaluate their feasibility for methyl orange removal. This method approves that the green synthesis method must be adopted for the more efficient and rapid synthesis of metal nanoparticles. A simple process of bio reduction has been involved, the leaf extract of Datura inoxia used as a precursor for reducing metal iron. The UV- visible spectral analyses for iron nanoparticles have shown a peak at 240 nm wavelength. Spherical shaped iron nanoparticles are formed as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Batch studies were investigated for optimization study of methyl orange removal on selected parameters i.e., pH (1-10), adsorbent dose (0.02-0.14g), initial dye concentration (5-100pm), contact time (15-120 minutes) and temperature (20- 50o C). The result from the present study approves easy and fast dye removal of 98 % with kinetic data following a second order removal rate. The thermodynamics parameters supported the spontaneity with a negative value of ?G i.e., -14.87 kJ mol-1 and exothermic (?H -7.094 kJ mol-1) nature of the reaction. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of Datura inoxia for the phyto production of iron nanoparticles is efficient for various commercial applications in environment sector

Pollutant Removal Abilities of Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland

With the rapid urbanization, the production of wastewater is increasing day by day. Direct discharge of wastewater in the water bodies/land causes environmental pollutions. Hence, treatment of the wastewater is must, prior to the disposal. Treatment of wastewater through constructed wetlands (CWs) require low cost, less energy consumption, easy construction, and simple operation/maintenance. So, CWs can be the better option for the developing countries such as Nepal. Main objective of the study was to determine the pollutant/nutrient removal abilities of total nitrogen (N), total phosphorous (P), potassium (K+), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) CW. The study was carried out in the HSSF CW having gravel as substrate material and common reed (narkat, phragmites karka) as macrophyte. The CW treated domestic wastewater at an average flow rate of 8.64 m3.d−1. The first order removal rate constants were 0.015 m−1 (0.200 d−1) for total N, 0.035 m−1 (0.484 d−1) for total P, 0.004 m−1 (0.052 d−1) for K+, and 0.055 m−1 (0.753 d−1) for BOD5. The influent concentration of total N, total P, K+, and BOD5 ranged from 60-100, 11-13, 34-48, and 60-120 mg.l−1, respectively; effluent concentration from 35-55, 1-3, 31-38, and 4-20 mg.l−1, respectively. Average removal efficiencies of total N, total P, K+, and BOD5 were 50.5, 75.5, 15.0, and 86.9 %, respectively. CW will be a promising option for wastewater treatment.

Predicting removal kinetics of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and nutrients in a pilot scale fed-batch algal wastewater treatment system

Our previous reports have presented single-step treatment of primary-settled urban wastewater by a mixotrophic alga, Galdieria sulphuraria. Here, we present an approach to predict the operational cycle time, t*, required to meet the discharge standards for ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH3-N), phosphate (PO4) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in fed-batch mode, under varying influent concentrations. First order removal rates of NH3-N, PO4 and BOD, determined using data from 10 fed-batch cycles in a pilot scale system (700 L), were used to predict their temporal fate and t* in 30 other cycles. Predicted concentrations of NH3-N, PO4, and BOD and t* over a wide range of influent concentrations agreed well with the measured ones, with root mean square errors, respectively, of 2.06 mg/L, 0.23 mg/L, 2.88 mg/L and 0.30 days. The coefficient of determination between the measured and the predicted values were as follows: for NH3-N: r2 = 0.82, n = 90; for PO4: r2 = 0.87, n = 90; for BOD: r2 = 0.70, n = 30; and for t*: r2 = 0.61, n = 30. The validity of the model in predicting temporal concentration profiles of NH3-N, PO4 and BOD reflected by Janus quotient (respectively of 0.85, 0.87 and 0.61) is comparable to or better than those reported in the literature. Sensitivity analysis procedures identified the influent concentration of PO4 as the most sensitive parameter in predicting t*.

Iron turning waste media for treating Endosulfan and Heptachlor contaminated water

This study explored the application of iron turning waste for the degradation of heptachlor and endosulfan. In batch experiments, 2.5 g of iron turning waste efficiently removed 96% of heptachlor and 85% of endosulfan in 200 mL of water (20 μg/L for each pesticide) in ten minutes. By increasing the iron turning dose from 1 g to 2.5 g, pseudo second order removal rates of heptachlor and endosulfan increased 1.5-fold and 1.37-fold, respectively. Among the minerals in groundwater, calcium and potassium lowered heptachlor removal (8–10%), whereas their effect on endosulfan removal was minimal. Endosulfan removal increased 16%, when water pH was raised from 4 to 10. The effect of water pH on heptachlor removal was minimal. The removal of heptachlor and endosulfan dropped to 55% and 46%, respectively, when the initial concentration was 1 μg/L. In a continuous flow system, iron turning worked better in combination with sand media. Water flow rate (5–15 mL/min) had a limited effect on the removal of both pesticides (initial concentration of 2 μg/L) which increased with increasing iron turning dose (100–150 g) for endosulfan. Heptachlor removal remained stable (100%) regardless of the iron turning amount (100–150 g) used in a filtration column. Iron turning based filter completely removed heptachlor throughout the filtration period (600 h), whereas endosulfan removal dropped from 100% to 88–90% after 300 h. Endosulfan and heptachlor were degraded into nonanal and heptanal, respectively. Iron turning waste was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) before and after its reactions with both pesticides. XRD and XPS analyses revealed that virgin iron turning waste consisted of zerovalent iron (Fe0) and iron oxides, and Fe0 was transformed to magnetite (Fe3O4) after reacting with both pesticides. Based on detected degradation by-products, the removal mechanism and degradation pathways for both pesticides were elucidated.

Modeling and Optimization of BT and DBT Photooxidation over Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Titania Composite by Response Surface Methodology

This study investigates optimization of benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) removal via a photocatalytic process by using central composite design (CCD) method. Temperature, pH, and p-25 to MWCNT ratio (g/g) in the composite structure are considered as design factors. According to the results, temperature has the greatest impact on removal rate. In optimal condition, after being exposed to UV lamps (9 W) for 20 min, 59.8% of the solutions’ BT was removed, while DBT was completely removed. Although the generated structure band gap is 3.4, but due to the presence of MWCNTs in the structure, it is capable of absorbing visible light, and this leads to complete removal of DBT and 42% removal of BT under visible light radiation (in similar circumstances). Kinetics analysis of thiophene’s reaction showed that, in the presence of visible light, first order removal rate constants for DBT and BT are 7.98 and 0.953 1/h, respectively.

물억새를 식재한 플러그 흐름 습지에서의 RDX 제거동역학

RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) is the most important explosive contaminant, both in concentration and in frequency, at military shooting ranges in which green technologies such as phytoremediation or constructed wetlands are the best option for mitigation of explosive compounds discharge to the environment. A study was conducted with two identical lab-scale plug flow constructed wetlands planted with Amur silver grass to treat water artificially contaminated with 40 mg/L of toxic explosive compound, RDX. The reactor was inoculated with or without RDX degrading mixed culture to evaluate plant-microorganism interactions in RDX removal, transformation products distribution, and kinetic constants. RDX and its metabolites in water, plant, and sediment were analyzed by HPLC to determine mass balance and kinetic constants. After 30 days of operation, the reactor reached steady-state at which more than 99% of RDX was removed with or without the mixed culture inoculation. The major transformation product was TNX (Trinitroso-RDX) that comprised approximately 50% in the mass balance of both reactors. It was also the major compound in the plant root and shoot system. Acute toxicity analysis of the water samples showed more than 30% of toxicity reduction in the effluent than that of influent containing 40 mg/L of RDX. In the Amur silver grass mesocosm seeded with the mixed culture, the specific RDX removal rate, that is 1st order removal rate normalized to plant fresh weight, was estimated to be 0.84 kg^−1 day^−1 which is 16.7% higher than that in the planted only mesocosm. Therefore, the results of this study proved that Amur silver grass is an effective plant for RDX removal in constructed wetlands and the efficiency can be increased even more when applied with RDX degrading microbial consortia.

Degradation of urea, ammonia and nitrite in moving bed biofilters operated at different feed loadings

This study investigated how removal rates of urea, ammonia, and nitrite in laboratory scale moving bed biofilters were affected by long-term feed loading. To generate different loadings, five identical freshwater flow-through systems (100l/h) with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were fed increasing fixed rations of a commercial diet. The filtered effluent from each system was lead through a moving bed biofilter installed end-of-pipe. After an acclimatization period of four months, the moving bed biofilters were spiked separately with urea, ammonia and nitrite in batch mode in three successive trials to investigate degradation kinetics. Results showed that urea, in addition to ammonia and nitrite, was degraded although the substrate limited/dependent removal rate of urea (first order kinetic) was lower than that of ammonia and nitrite. Degradation of urea could be described as first order kinetics below 2.5mgN/l. Degradation of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and nitrite was substrate independent (zero order kinetic) above 2mgN/l and subsequently substrate dependent as substrate concentrations in the bulk water declined. The transition zone from zero to first order degradation was elevated with increase in long-term biofilter loading. For ammonia and nitrite, a significant increase in the zero order removal rate constants related to long-term loading were observed up to a long-term feed loading of 207g/d, corresponding to 69gfeed/m2 filter media/d and an TAN+urea-N concentration of 2.70mgN/l. Long-term feed loading had no obvious effect on first order removal rate constants of any of the three nitrogenous compounds. Degradation of urea resulted in generation of ammonia demonstrating that urea degradation contributes to the ongoing nitrification activity in aquaculture biofilters. For all three types of spiking (urea, ammonia and nitrite) accumulation of nitrate was observed in the moving bed biofilters, sustaining that nitrification had occurred.

Simplifying modeling of nanoparticle aggregation–sedimentation behavior in environmental systems: A theoretical analysis

Parameters and simplified model approaches for describing the fate of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are crucial to advance the risk assessment of these materials. Sedimentation behavior of ENPs in natural waters has been shown to follow apparent first order behavior, a ‘black box’ phenomenon that is insufficiently understood and therefore of limited applicability. Here we use a detailed Smoluchowski-Stokes model that accounts for homo- and heteroaggregation and sedimentation of ENPs and natural colloids (NCs), to simulate and interpret experimental ENP aggregation–sedimentation data. The model adequately simulated the observed time and initial concentration dependence of CeO2 settling data, and also predicted the conditions for aggregation rate-limitations of overall removal. Heteroaggregation with natural colloids was identified as the dominating removal process. Finally, the empirical apparent first order model data were calibrated against the mechanistic Smoluchowski-Stokes model simulation data, showing excellent fits for a range of NC initial concentrations. Using first order removal rates thus can be considered a valid and informed approximation when modeling ENP fate in the aquatic environment.

Comparison of fate profiles of PAHs in soil, sediments and mangrove leaves after oil spills by QSAR and QSPR

First order removal rates for 15 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil, sediments and mangrove leaves were compared in relation to the parameters used in fate transport analyses (i.e., octanol–water partition coefficient, organic carbon–water partition coefficient, solubility, diffusivity in water, HOMO–LUMO gap, molecular size, molecular aspect ratio). The quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) and quantitative structure property relationships (QSPR) showed that the rate of disappearance of PAHs is correlated with their diffusivities in water as well as molecular volumes in different media. Strong correlations for the rate of disappearance of PAHs in sediments could not be obtained in relation to most of the parameters evaluated. The analyses showed that the QSAR and QSPR correlations developed for removal rates of PAHs in soils would not be adequate for sediments and plant tissues.

Water quality in a surface-flow constructed treatment wetland polishing tertiary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant

Constructed treatment wetlands (CTWs) are unique ecotechnologies that can sustainably treat a range of wastewaters. This study focused on a 0.23 ha vegetated surface-flow CTW polishing nitrate-rich (3-6 mg-N/L) tertiary effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Water quality was monitored longitudinally in the fall of 2009 and 2010. The CTW cooled water by from around 20 °C to <15 °C in both years. Longitudinal temperature profiles were successfully modeled using an energy balance approach (2009 R(2) = 0.69; 2010 R(2) = 0.92). The magnitude of key model fitting parameters, including albedo (0.1-0.2) and convective transfer coefficient (0.1-0.9 MJ/m(2) d °C), were within ranges reported in the literature. In both years, dissolved oxygen decreased through the wetland from 6-7 mg/L to 3-4 mg/L, yielding an oxygen mass consumption rate of 0.08-0.09 g/m(2) d. Longitudinal nitrate profiles were well represented by the P-k-C* model (2009 R(2) = 0.88; 2010 R(2) = 0.92). First order removal rates were 20.2 m/yr in 2009 and 29.0 m/yr in 2010 at a P value of 6.0. Levels of ammonia and total phosphorus increased negligibly through the wetland, remaining below 0.25 mg/L. This study shows that vegetated surface-flow CTWs are well suited to cool and polish low-BOD nitrate-dominated tertiary effluents with little degradation of other water quality parameters of concern, including phosphorus and ammonia.

Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles and their application as a Fenton-like catalyst for the degradation of aqueous cationic and anionic dyes

Iron nanoparticles were produced using extracts of green tea leaves (GT-Fe NPs). The materials were characterized using TEM, SEM/EDX, XPS, XRD, and FTIR techniques and were shown to contain mainly iron oxide and iron oxohydroxide. The obtained nanoparticles were then utilized as a Fenton-like catalyst for decolorization of aqueous solutions containing methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The related experiments investigated the removal kinetics and the effect of concentration for both MB and MO. The concentrations of dyes in aqueous solution were monitored using ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The results indicated fast removal of the dyes with the kinetic data of MB following a second order removal rate, while those of MO were closer to a first order removal rate. The loading experiments indicated almost complete removal of both dyes from water over a wide range of concentration, 10–200 mg L −1. Compared with iron nanoparticles produced by borohydride reduction, GT-Fe nanoparticles demonstrated more effective capability as a Fenton-like catalyst, both in terms of kinetics and percentage removal.

Performance of Surface-Flow Domestic Wastewater Treatment Wetlands

Treatment wetlands can be a viable alternative for rural wastewater treatment where conventional centralized methods of treatment may not be feasible. The seasonal treatment performance associated with two surface-flow domestic wastewater treatment wetlands located at the Bio-Environmental Engineering Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia was investigated between October 2007 and April 2009. Each wetland had a surface area of ≈ 100 m2, was loaded with ≈ 1,400 L of domestic septic tank effluent d−1, and had a theoretical hydraulic retention time (HRT) of ≈ 25 d. The wetlands achieved average% reductions on a concentration basis of 95% E. coli, 69% BOD5, 78% TSS, 46% TKN, 42% NH3, 39% TP, and 34% SRP. Average% mass reductions based on monthly flows were 92% E. coli, 59% BOD5, 65% of TSS, 23% TKN, 21% NH3, 8% TP, and 2% SRP. First order removal rate constants averaged 0.19 d−1 for E. coli, 0.08 d−1 TSS, 0.07 d−1 BOD5, 0.03 d−1 TKN, 0.04 d−1 NH3, and 0.03 d-1 for both TP and SRP. Treatment performance was highly variable and appeared to decrease over time. Seasonal variability, hydrologic loading, and long term performance must be considered during the design stage to ensure adequate treatment capacity.

Gas-Liquid Combined Multiple Cut for WEDM

This study investigates the dry WEDM in multiple cut. To improve surface quality with high-speed WEDM (HS-WEDM), a new procedure as Gas-liquid Combined Multiple Cut (roughing is processed in dielectric liquid, and semi-finishing is in liquid or gas, while the finishing is in gas) is presented. Effects of pulse duration, peak current, offset, worktable feed and wire length on roughness and removal rate for dry semi-finishing were studied were studied with L16(45) design, and significant order inflluncing roughness and removal rate were found. Experiment results show that multiple cut with dry WEDM in semi-finishing and finishing can improve surface roughness significantly.

Phosphorus Removal in Emergent Free Surface Wetlands

Constructed and natural wetlands are capable of absorbing new phosphorus loadings, and, in appropriate circumstances, can provide a low-cost alternative to chemical and biological treatment. Phosphorus interacts strongly with wetland soils and biota, which provide both short-term and sustainable long-term storage of this nutrient. Soil sorption may provide initial removal, but this partly reversible storage eventually becomes saturated. Uptake by biota, including bacteria, algae, and duckweed, as well as macrophytes, forms an initial removal mechanism. Cycling through growth, death, and decomposition returns most of the biotic uptake, but an important residual contributes to long term accretion in newly formed sediments and soils. Despite the apparent complexity of these several removal mechanisms, data analysis shows that relatively simple equations can describe the sustainable processes. Previous global first order removal rates characterize the sustainable removal, but do not incorporate any biotic features. This article reviews the relevant processes and summarizes quantitative data on wetland phosphorus removal.

Feasibility of constructed wetlands for removing chlorothalonil and chlorpyrifos from aqueous mixtures

Chlorpyrifos (an insecticide) and chlorothalonil (a fungicide) are transported in stormwater runoff and can be lethal to receiving aquatic system biota. This study determined removal rates of chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil in simulated stormwater runoff treated in constructed wetland mesocosms. Using sentinel species, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas, observed declines in toxicity of the simulated runoff after treatment were 98 and 100%, respectively. First order removal rates were 0.039/h for chlorpyrifos and 0.295/h for chlorothalonil in these experiments. Constructed wetland mesocosms were effective for decreasing concentrations of chlorpyrifos and chlorothalonil in simulated stormwater runoff, and decreasing P. promelas and C. dubia mortality resulting from these exposures. The results from this study indicate that constructed wetlands could be part of an efficient mitigation strategy for stormwater runoff containing these pesticides.