scholarly journals Short-Rotation Willows as a Wastewater Treatment Plant: Biomass Production and the Fate of Macronutrients and Metals

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 554
Author(s):  
Darja Istenič ◽  
Gregor Božič

Evapotranspirative willow systems (EWS) are zero-discharge wastewater treatment plants that produce woody biomass and have no discharge to surface or groundwater bodies. The influence of wastewater on the growth of three clones of Salix alba (‘V 093’, ‘V 051’ and ‘V 160’) and the distribution of macronutrients and metals in a pilot EWS receiving primary treated municipal wastewater was studied under a sub-Mediterranean climate. The influent wastewater, shoot number, stem height, and biomass production at coppicing were monitored in two consecutive two-year rotations. Soil properties and the concentrations of macronutrients and metals in soil and woody biomass were analyzed after the first rotation. S. alba clones in EWS produced significantly more woody biomass compared to controls. ‘V 052’ produced the highest biomass yield in both rotations (38–59 t DM ha−1) and had the highest nitrogen and phosphorus uptake (48% and 45%) from wastewater. Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake into the harvestable woody biomass was significantly higher in all clones studied compared to other plant-based wastewater treatment plants, indicating the nutrient recovery potential of EWS. The indigenous white willow clone ‘V 160’ had the lowest biomass yield but absorbed more nutrients from wastewater compared to ‘V 093’. Wastewater composition and load were consistent with the nutrient requirements of the willows; however, an increase in salinity was observed after only two years of operation, which could affect EWS efficiency and nutrient recovery in the long term.

Water SA ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2 April) ◽  
Author(s):  
W Musazura ◽  
AO Odindo ◽  
EH Tesfamariam ◽  
JC Hughes ◽  
CA Buckley

The Decentralised Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) can provide a potential sanitation solution to residents living in informal settlements with the effluent produced being used on agricultural land. This paper reports on a first step to assess the technical viability of this concept. To do so a pilot DEWATS plant was connected to 83 houses in the eThekwini Municipality. An experiment was conducted in a randomised complete block design with 2 treatments (DEWATS effluent irrigation and tap water irrigation + fertiliser) and 3 blocks. Banana and taro crops were irrigated using an automated drip irrigation system. Data on the weather, crop growth, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and soil chemical properties were collected. Irrigation with DEWATS effluent was comparable to tap water + fertiliser especially for banana growth and biomass production. Banana and taro required 3 514 mm of irrigation effluent. About 0.0117 ha·household−1 (23.3 m2·person−1) was found to be an adequate area for effluent reuse. Wet-weather storage requirements were calculated to be about 9.2 m3·household−1. DEWATS effluent, after passing through a horizontal flow wetland, was unable to meet banana and taro nitrogen and phosphorus requirements. Nutrient monitoring is required when using anaerobic filter effluent from a DEWATS for irrigating banana and taro. 


1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Rabinowitz ◽  
T. D. Vassos ◽  
R. N. Dawson ◽  
W. K. Oldham

A brief review of recent developments in biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal technology is presented. Guidelines are outlined of how current understanding of these two removal mechanisms can be applied in the upgrading of existing wastewater treatment plants for biological nutrient removal. A case history dealing with the upgrading of the conventional activated sludge process located at Penticton, British Columbia, to a biological nutrient removal facility with a design flow of 18,200 m3/day (4.0 IMGD) is presented as a design example. Process components requiring major modification were the headworks, bioreactors and sludge handling facilities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 573-574 ◽  
pp. 659-662
Author(s):  
Hao Wang

In Tangshan area, the secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plants was used for this study. Horizontal zeolite wetland was carried out treating it. Hydraulic loading rate was the parameters for analyzing the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of pollutants from the secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plant. Zeolite constructed wetlands showed different behaviors for nitrogen and phosphorus removals.Under the optimum hydraulic loading rate, the primary pollutions were removed to a large extent.


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