Methane emission potential and increased efficiency of a phytoremediation system bioaugmented with Bacillus firmus XJSL 1-10

Horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland mesocosms (HSSCW) designed to treat municipal waste water were bioaugmented with Bacillus firmus XJSL 1-10. The efficiencies of the three HSSCW mesocosms (non-vegetated HSSCW, Schoenoplectus validus HSSCW and Bambusa vulgaris HSSCW) were assessed. Bioaugmentation not only enhanced the efficiency of the phytoremediation system but also reduced methane emission from an average of 51.3 mg/m2/d to 21.6 mg/m2/d in Schoenoplectus validus HSSCW and from an average of 1708 mg/m2/d to 1473 mg/m2/d in Bambusa vulgaris HSSCW. Each of the three types of bioaugmented HSSCWs showed higher purification efficiency with respect to the removal of BOD and NH4-N than the non-bioaugmented HSSCWs. The performance enhancement was most significant in bioaugmented Schoenoplectus validus HSSCW mesocosm with 48.8 and 44.8% lower BOD, and NH4-N, respectively than the non-bioaugmented HSSCW.