Comparison of the treatment performances of blast furnace slag-based and gravel-based vertical flow wetlands operated identically for domestic wastewater treatment in Turkey

In 2001, to foster the practical development of constructed wetlands (CWs) used for domestic wastewater treatment in Turkey, vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (30 m² of each) were implemented on the campus of the METU, Ankara, Turkey. The main objective of the research was to quantify the effect of different filter media on the treatment performance of vertical flow wetlands in the prevailing climate of Ankara. Thus, a gravel-filled wetland and a blast furnace granulated iron slag-filled wetland were operated identically with primarily treated domestic wastewater (3 m³ d⁻¹) at a hydraulic loading rate of 0.100 m d⁻¹, intermittently. Both of the wetland cells were planted with Phragmites australis. According to the first year results, average removal efficiencies for the slag and gravel wetland cells were as follows: total suspended solids (TSS) (63% and 59%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (47% and 44%), NH₄⁺–N (88% and 53%), total nitrogen (TN) (44% and 39%), PO₄³⁻-P (44% and 1%) and total phosphorus (TP) (45% and 4%). The treatment performances of the slag-filled wetland were better than that of the gravel-filled wetland in terms of removal of phosphorus and production of nitrate. Since this study was a pioneer for implementation of subsurface constructed wetlands in Turkey using local sources, it has proved that this eco-technology could also be used effectively for water quality enhancement in Turkey.     

Use of dewatered alum sludge as main substrate in treatment reed bed receiving agricultural wastewater: long-term trial

This study aims to explore a novel application of dewatered alum sludge cakes (DASC) as the main medium in a single model reed bed to treat phosphorus-rich animal farm wastewater under "tidal flow" operation on a long-term basis. It is expected that the cakes act as the carrier for developing biofilm and also serve as adsorbent to enhance phosphorus (P) immobilization. Results have demonstrated that average removal efficiencies of 73.3+/-15.9% for COD, 82.9+/-12.3% for BOD(5), 86.4+/-6.0% for RP (reactive P), 88.6+/-7.2% for soluble reactive P (SRP) and 77.6+/-17.5% for SS can be achieved during the two year's operation. More significantly, the "P-adsorption proportion" by DASC in the reed bed is 42% of the overall P removal. The remaining removal of P may be contributed by the trapping and filtration process of DASC. Therefore, the lifetime of the DASC in reed bed is reasonably longer than that determined from the batch isotherm test.     

Influence of vegetation and substrate on the removal and transformation of dissolved organic matter in horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands

The fate of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs) was examined. In several studies it had been demonstrated that factors such as vegetation and substrates type affected the treatment efficiency of DOM, while very few studies discerned their influence on the transformations of DOM. Thus three pilot-scale HSSF CWs, i.e. reed (Phragmites australis)/gravel bed (W1), hybrid vegetation{cattail (Typha latifolia), bulrush (Scirpus validus), reed}/gravel bed (W2) and reed/hybrid substrates bed (gravel, zeolite, slag) (W3), were designed, and were operated continuously to investigate soluble COD (SCOD) removal and DOM transformations affected by vegetation and substrate type, and to explore the correlation between SCOD and biodiversity. The results showed that cattail and bulrush contributed to higher SCOD removal than common reed, and that gravel, zeolite and slag did not show significant influence on SCOD removal. The composition of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) could undergo a considerable shift in composition due to metabolism and senescence from plant and microorganism. Nonlabile aromatic hydrocarbons and alkyl hydrocarbons in the effluent were a significant portion compared with labile alcoholic and alkene in the influent. It was also observed that the type of vegetation and substrate had great influence on the structure of bacteria, and the Shannon-Wiener Index increased linearly with the decrease of SCOD concentration along water flow in W2 and W3 (R2=0.96).     

Calcium and iron as key drivers of brown moss composition through differential effects on phosphorus availability

Brown moss-dominated rich fens are characterized by minerotrophic conditions, in which calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) concentrations show large variations. We examined the relative importance of Ca and Fe in relation to the occurrence of three typical brown moss species: Scorpidium scorpioides, Scorpidium cossonii, and Hamatocaulis vernicosus. Peat chemistry was examined in 24 stands of brown moss-dominated rich fens: 12 in the Netherlands and 12 in central Sweden. Ca and Fe turned out to be important drivers of brown moss composition. Fens dominated by Scorpidium scorpioides or Scorpidium cossonii were characterized by high pore water Ca-concentrations and total soil Ca-contents, but low P-availability. In these Ca-rich, but Fe-poor fens, foliar N:P ratios of vascular vegetation exceeded 20?g?g^?1, indicating phosphorus (P)-limitation due to Ca-P precipitation or low P-sorption capacity due to low Fe-levels. In contrast, fens dominated by Hamatocaulis vernicosus were characterized by high pore water Fe-concentrations and total soil Fe-contents, but also relatively high P-availability. N:P ratios in these fens were below 13.5?g?g^?1, indicating potential nitrogen (N)-limitation. We conclude that the relative roles of Ca and Fe, as related to the geohydrological conditions present, strongly determine the brown moss composition in rich fens through their differential effects on plant P-availability.     

Dephosphorization of LD slag by phosphorus solubilising bacteria

Phosphorus is one of the major nutrients, and microbial solubilisation of insoluble mineral phosphate in soil is an important process in natural ecosystem and in agricultural soil. Many soil microorganisms display the ability to solubilize many insoluble inorganic phosphates. They are generally referred as phosphorus solubilising microorganisms (PSM). In this study an attempt was made to look into the phosphorus solubilisation efficiency of some commonly available soil bacteria and their possible application in bio-beneficiation of metallurgical waste like LD Slag. Linz -Donawitz (LD) slag is produced in large quantities (200 kg LD slag per ton of hot metal) and poses a substantial disposal problem in the iron and steel making industry. LD slag contains around 29% Ca, 21% Fe, and 5% Mg. Its phosphorus content is about 1.5-6%. Due to presence of high amount of Ca, it can be used as flux in blast furnace, but presence of high amount of phosphorus in the LD slag makes them unsuitable for industrial application. Removal of phosphorus with the help of phosphorus solubilising microorganisms may be a great advantage in biotechnological applications. Two gram positive bacteria belonging to genus Bacillus and two gram negative bacteria belonging to genus Pseudomonas were selected in this study. Phosphorus solubilisation efficiency was studied initially with tricalcium phosphate as model insoluble phosphate compound at different sugar concentration, NaCl concentration and at different initial pH of the medium. About 35% of ‘P’ could be solubilized from LD slag by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 2% solid content.     

Changes of element ratios of cultured cells from dune reed under adverse environmental conditions

Dune reed, as an ecotype of reed plant (Phragmites communis Trin.), is an ideal material for studies on the adaptations of plant to environmental conditions. Scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and plant tissue culture techniques were used to investigate the effect of extreme temperature, salt, and polyethylene glycol-induced osmotic stress on the intracellular elements K, Na, Ca, and Cl in cultured cells from dune reed and swamp reed (as control). The results indicated that the percentages of the studied elements in dune reed cells exposed to various stresses increased or decreased obviously compared to the swamp reed cells. It has been found that a pattern of absorbing K and discharging Na exists in dune reed cells, which did not exist in swamp reed cells. The pattern is thought to be a significant physiological mechanism of the dune reed response to adverse environmental factors. In addition, the percentages of Ca and Cl in dune reed cells were also shown to increase at high temperature. The growth of cells along with their surface features under different stress conditions were observed and the results are discussed.     

四种生态型芦苇叶中离子分布对生境的生理适应

采用X射线微区分析技术 ,测定了 4种生态型芦苇 (Phragmitesaustralis (CaV .)Trin .exSteud .)叶的表皮泡状细胞、叶肉细胞和叶脉维管束鞘细胞离子的含量。结果表明 :沼泽芦苇的鞘细胞内 ,K 、Na 、Ca2 、Mg2 和Cl-分布均较叶肉细胞和泡状细胞高。沙丘芦苇的泡状细胞中Ca2 分布较叶肉细胞和鞘细胞高 ,而Mg2 在其叶肉细胞 ,以及K 、Na 和Cl- 在其鞘细胞内分布均较高。在轻度盐化草甸芦苇的叶肉细胞内分布较多的Na 和Mg2 ,而在鞘细胞内K 、Ca2 和Cl- 的分布均较叶肉细胞和泡状细胞为高。重度盐化草甸芦苇的泡状细胞内Na 和Mg2 的分布较多 ;同样 ,在叶肉细胞中K 、Ca2 和Cl- 的分布也较多。最后 ,讨论了上述各种离子在不同生态型芦苇叶内分布的状况 ,以及与其环境适应的生理意义。     

Removal of ammoniacal-nitrogen from an artificial landfill leachate in downflow reed beds

The fate of ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH₄-N) was studied in a lab-scale downflow reed bed system treating an artificial landfill leachate. Individual reed beds were saturated by the leachate, then drained and rinsed by tap water. NH₄-N was removed by a two-stage process, adsorption onto the reed bed media followed by nitrification into nitrite-nitrogen (NO₂-N) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N). Decrease of the NH₄-N level of the leachate was observed when the reed beds were saturated. By rinsing the beds, part of the NH₄-N adsorbed inside the bed matrices was released into the rinse water. The presence of NO₂- and NO₃-N in the rinse water demonstrated that nitrification took place while NH₄-N was retained inside the bed matrices. For artificial leachates with NH₄-N levels of 150±5 mg/l, an average removal rate of 44% in a 3 h treatment was achieved. Mass balance analysis indicated that adsorption, transformations into NO₂- and NO₃-N accounted for 64, 4 and 24% of the NH₄-N removal, respectively. This study also demonstrated that in general a greater rate of effluent recirculation around downflow reed beds gives higher NH₄-N removal.     

Sorption of phosphate onto giant reed based adsorbent: FTIR, Raman spectrum analysis and dynamic sorption/desorption properties in filter bed

A sorption process for the removal of phosphate was evaluated under various conditions using a filter bed packed with giant reed (GR) based adsorbent. FTIR spectrum measurement validated the existence of grafted amine groups in the adsorbent and Raman spectrum displayed the characteristic peaks of different forms of phosphate. The column sorption capacity of the adsorbent for phosphate was 54.67 mg g⁻¹ in comparison with the raw GR of 0.863 mg g⁻¹. Influent pH demonstrated an essential effect on the performance of the filter bed as compared to other influent conditions (flow rates and influent concentrations) and the optimal pH was selected at 5.0-10.0. Eluents of HCl, NaOH and NaCl solutions with concentrations of 0.01-0.1 mol l⁻¹ showed the excellent capacities for desorption of phosphate from the adsorbent, and their elution processes could be finished in 90 min.     

Strontium supports human sperm capacitation but not follicular fluid-induced acrosome reaction.

The ability of strontium (Sr(2+)) to replace calcium (Ca(2+)) in maintaining human sperm function has still not been completely characterized. In the present study, acrosome reaction (AR) inducibility in response to human follicular fluid (hFF) was compared in spermatozoa incubated in either Ca(2+)- or Sr(2+)-containing media. Other events related to sperm capacitation, such as protein tyrosine phosphorylation and hyperactivation as well as zona pellucida (ZP) recognition under both conditions, were also analyzed. Spermatozoa incubated overnight in the presence of Sr(2+) were unable to undergo the AR when exposed to hFF. Nevertheless, when spermatozoa were incubated under this condition and then transferred to medium with Ca(2+), sperm response to hFF was similar to that of cells incubated throughout in the presence of Ca(2+). The sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation patterns and the percentages of sperm motility and hyperactivation were similar after incubation in Ca(2+)- or Sr(2+)-containing media. Under both conditions, the same binding capacity to homologous ZP was observed. Similar results were obtained when EGTA was added in order to chelate traces of Ca(2+) present in Sr(2+) medium. From these results, it can be concluded that Sr(2+) can replace Ca(2+) in supporting capacitation-related events and ZP binding, but not hFF-induced AR of human spermatozoa.     

Development of a technique to study seedling emergence in response to moisture deficit in the field —The seed bed environment*

The ability of crops of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) to establish in farmers' fields depends largely on its capacity to germinate and emerge under limited soil moisture conditions. Studies on germination under moisture stress have been previously conducted using osmotic media which do not wholly reproduce the conditions of the seed bed in the field. Hence the need for a field screening technique. A line source irrigation system was used to provide five moisture regimes ranging from -0.08 MPa to -0.92 MPa. The drying rate of the soil and the soil temperature depended largely on incident radiation, and the relationship between the moisture content and daily soil temperature and daily radiation was consistant. Total porosity of the seed bed, derived from bulk density measurements and particle density ranged from 43.8% to 45.3%, which would allow sufficient aeration when as in the experiments conducted here, water content was low (> 0.14 g/g). Under these seed bed conditions the pattern of response of emergence to the moisture gradient was linear or curvilinear. Genotypic differences existed for emergence and its response to water level. The field method developed is useful for identifying genotypes able to germinate and emerge under conditions of low seed bed moisture.     

The effect of sewage sludge flooding on growth and morphometric parameters of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel

Phragmites australis is the most frequently used species in constructed wetlands (CW) for dewatering and mineralization of sludge. Such CW create a very hostile environment for plants because their roots are exposed to permanently anaerobic conditions. Our working hypothesis assumed a simple relationship between the success of reed in colonising sludge flood stands and maximalisation of shoot oxygen production and transport to rhizomes and roots. Morphometric parameters and density of common reed shoots growing in reed bed systems inundated with sewage sludge were investigated. It was proved that flooding with sewage sludge significantly influenced characteristics of common reed populations. In comparison with natural stands, on stands treated with sewage sludge, maximal density of shoots was higher, biomass was twice as high, shoot diameter was significantly greater, and leaf weight ratio of an individual shoot was also significantly higher. Tendency to shorten shoots was noted. Growing period was longer for reed shoots treated with sewage sludge than on natural stands.     

Differential expression of photosynthesis-related genes of reed ecotypes in response to drought and saline habitats

Three ecotypes of reed (Phragmites communis Trinius), swamp reed (SR), dune reed (DR), and heavy salt meadow reed (HSMR), growing in desert regions of northwest China were simultaneously investigated in their natural state for gas exchange patterns and the expression of three photosynthesis-related genes, cab (the gene for the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding protein, LHC), psbA (the gene for the reaction centre D1 protein of photosystem 2, PS2), and 16S rDNA (the gene for plastid 16S rRNA). Stomatal conductance (gs) and intercellular CO2 concentration (ci) were markedly lower in the two terrestrial ecotypes (DR and HSMR) as compared to SR, paralleling a similar observed depression in net photosynthetic rate (PN). However, DR with the lowest measured gs and ci still exhibited a higher PN compared to HSMR. These results suggest that both stomatal and non-stomatal factors account for the comparatively low carbon assimilation in the terrestrial ecotypes. An increase in the expression of photosynthesis-related genes was observed in DR compared to SR, whereas the reverse situation was true in HSMR. The expression of photosynthesis-related genes may contribute to reed plants' photosynthetic capacity per leaf area under natural water deficits, but the levels of photosynthesis-related gene expression are not directly correlated with reed plants' general ability for survival and adaptation under water deficient conditions.     

Reedbed structure and habitat preference of reed passerines during the post-breeding period

Post-breeding habitats of nine passerine species were studied in the permanently flooded reed beds of ponds near the village Pusté úlany (SW Slovakia) in 2002. Structural features of reed beds and the abundance of all birds studied were sampled at two sites and eight study plots. The reed bed structure and abundance of four passerines differed considerably between the individual study plots. The variations in vegetation structure were also caused by winter reed burning in the SE part of study area. Stems in burnt reed beds were smaller and thinner than unburnt. Abundance of the reed warbler and to a lesser extent sedge warbler was higher in tall reed beds, while the bearded tit preferred thick reed stems. Position of reed beds along the shore — open water gradient was an important factor in terms of abundance at the study plots in the case of the reed bunting. This species showed a strong preference for the reed bed edge with open water. Horizontal distribution of other species seems to be random, however, the birds with the exception of Savi’s warbler preferred the upper stratum of reed bed in vertical distribution. Our field data corroborate with those found in experimental studies concerning with ecomorphological characteristics of birds. Some inconsistencies, however, could also be caused by other factors (e.g. foraging preferences). Comparison of breeding and post-breeding habitat requirements of the studied bird species confirmed a more or less random distribution of the majority of species in the post-breeding period. Some variation was found in the cases of only the reed warbler and bearded tit.     

Nutrient removal from on-site domestic wastewater in horizontal subsurface flow reed beds in Ireland

In order to investigate the nutrient (namely nitrogen and phosphorus) removal efficiency and the governing internal dynamics of the most widely used wetland type, the horizontal subsurface flow reed bed, in receiving domestic septic tank and secondary effluent in a temperate climate such as Ireland, two systems were designed, constructed and rigorously monitored for a period of over 2 years. Nitrogen removal, as expected, was found to be poor across both reed beds, with only 29% removal of TN across the secondary treatment bed and 41% removal across the tertiary treatment bed, with little distinctive seasonal change. A ¹⁵N stable isotope tracer study revealed, in line with the results from the chemical analysis, that nitrogen kinetics in the secondary treatment bed were dominated by continuous plant litter decomposition and mineralisation processes converting stored org-N to NH₄-N indefinitely. Similar analysis on the tertiary treatment bed indicated that only limited denitrification of the oxidized forms of N was occurring in the anoxic environment of the bed, while NH₄-N and org-N were merely changing form on a cyclic basis. Removal of PO₄-P from the secondary and tertiary treatment beds was equally poor at rates of 45% and 22%, respectively. While at their maximum growth in the third year of operation, the total phosphorus in the stems and roots of the Phragmites australis in the secondary treatment bed equated to only 10% of the total P removed over the duration of the bed's operation. In the tertiary treatment bed, more seasonal variability was recorded with intermittent negative removal found during winter periods. This was somewhat more reflected in the P-uptake study for this bed with the roots and stems of the Typha and Iris containing phosphorus, which accounted for 31% of the overall mass removed.     

106 Nitrogen Fixation Behavior of a Terrestrial Heterocystous Cyanobacterium,Nostoc Flagelliforme,as Affected by Available Nutrients in Liquid Suspension Culture

Nostoc flagelliforme is an edible terrestrial cyanobacterium of great economic value which is often distributed in arid or semi‐arid steppes in many parts of the world. The relationship between N2‐fixing capacity and nutrient availability of N. flagelliforme under various growth conditions was investigated. Phosphorus had a profound effect on nitrogenase activity (NA) of the alga over the concentration range of 2.3 μM–0.46 mM inorganic phosphorus (Pi) in the cultures, with a maximal NA at 23 μM Pi. The optimal temperature for NA was determined by the Arrhenius equation to be approximately 25°C. However, the response of NA to different phosphorus concentrations was not affected by temperature variation. Micro‐nutrients in the media also affected NA of the alga. A 2‐fold strength of both B and Ca (relative to the standard BG110 medium) significantly enhanced NA. In addition, simultaneous enrichments with B, Ca, Fe and Mo exerted marked beneficial effects on NA, and such effects were presumably in an interactive and synergistic manner. In contrast, removal of Mo gave rise to a drastic decrease in growth rate, while the NA was only moderately decreased. NA in the Mo‐, Co‐, and Fe‐free cultures was respectively inhibited, as compared to cultures devoid of Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu, respectively. Results of the present study suggested that N. flagelliforme could be an important contributor of nitrogen to the terrestrial ecosystem because of its strong nitrogen‐fixing ability even in an infertile environment.     

PCR analysis of the presence and location of Mycobacterium avium in a constructed reed bed, with implications for avian tuberculosis control

The potential of reed beds to act as biofilters of pathogenic and environmental mycobacteria was investigated through examination of the fate of mycobacteria in a constructed reed bed filtering effluent from a large captive wildfowl collection. Particular emphasis was placed on the presence and location of Mycobacterium avium – the causal agent of avian tuberculosis (ATB) – in an effort to clarify the potential role of reed beds in the control of this disease. Water, sediment, and stems and roots of common reed ( Phragmites australis ) and greater reedmace ( Typha latifolia ) were taken from 15 locations within the reed bed plus sites upstream and downstream. Samples were analysed for mycobacteria using PCR and specifically for M. avium using nested PCR. Environmental mycobacteria were found throughout the entire reed bed but M. avium was not found downstream of the first vegetation growth. The reed bed was found to effectively remove M. avium from the water through a combination of sedimentation and adsorption onto vegetation stems. The results of this study show that constructed reed beds composed of a settlement lagoon and one or more vegetation beds can act as valuable and ecologically friendly tools in the environmental control of ATB.     

Chromatography of human prothrombin from Nitschmann fraction III on Q Sepharose Fast Flow using axial and radial flow column

An axial column (Hitrap Q 5 ml, 2.5 2 1.6 cm) and a radial flow column (3.5 2 5 cm) packed with Q Sepharose Fast Flow media had been evaluated for the separation of human prothrombin. Nitschmann fraction III dissolved in buffered saline (0.10 M sodium chloride buffered with 0.06 M Tris/HCl to pH 7.5) was the starting material. Effects of sample flow rate of the two columns were screened. Under radial flow conditions using the radial column, sample flow rate up to 15 ml/min (i.e. 18 bed volumes/h) was achieved and the operating pressure was below 0.2 MPa eventhough the elution velocity was 30 ml/min. Breakthrough capacity was determined by analyzing the total protein and prothrombin activity of the target protein-containing fraction under subsaturating conditions and both columns had almost the same breakthrough capacity per ml media, indicating that the sample loading was independent of radial column geometry. It was concluded that the radial column is an attractive alternate to traditional axial packed bed column, exhibiting very good potential for use in the separation of human prothrombin.     

Phytoremediation of selenium using subsurface-flow constructed wetland

The potential of two plant species, Phragmites australis (common reed) and Typha latifolia (cattail), in the phytoremediation process of selenium (Se) was studied in subsurface-flow constructed wetland (SSF). Se was supplemented continuously at a concentration of 100 microg Se L(-1) in the inlet of the cultivation beds of the SSF. Water samples collected from the outlet of the Phragmites bed after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 wk of treatments showed that Se content was under detectable limits. Water samples collected from the Typha bed at the same five periods showed that Se concentrations in the outlet were 55, 47, 65, 76, and 25 microg/L, respectively. The results of bioaccumulation in the biomass of both species after 12 wk of treatment indicated that Typha plants accumulated Se mainly in fine roots. Phragmites accumulated Se mainly in leaves and rhizomes, and moderate levels were found in stems and fine organic materials. The results indicate that common reed is a very good species for Se phytoextraction and phytostabilization (immobilization) and that cattail is only a phytostabilization species. The use of common reed and cattail for Se phytoremediation in a SSF system and in constructed wetland models are discussed.     

Effects of winter harvest on water and sediment chemistry in a stand of reed (Phragmites australis)

An investigation of the effects of repeated winter harvest and removal of dry reed culms on water and sediment chemistry was made in a shallow lake dominated by closed, monospecific reed stands. The oxygen concentration and redox potential in the water, as well as temperature, showed regular diurnal fluctuations inside the reed stands. Ammonium and nitrate + nitrite did not exhibit diurnal fluctuations and differences between a harvested and an unharvested reed area were small. Molybdate reactive phosphorus (MRP) concentration was higher in the unharvested area.Because the winter harvest caused an almost doubling of shoot production compared to the unharvested area, net addition of reed litter (leaves, stubble and culms) to the sediment of the harvested area was similar to that of the unharvested area. It is concluded that removal of reed culms in winter has the largest effect on microclimate in spring, and that the rate of mineralization and reducing intensity in the substrate are not immediately affected. Significantly higher summer standing crop of reed after harvest may have caused lower phosphate concentration in the water column and sediment interstitial water.