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Optimization of operational conditions and performances of pilot scale lumbrifiltration for real raw municipal wastewater treatment

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Abstract

Lumbrifiltration (LF) has been promoted as a low-cost, low maintenance and efficient solution for domestic and municipal wastewater treatment especially. However, there have been limited studies investigating the optimal operating conditions and long-term performances of LF systems (especially in temperate climates). The key objectives of this study were to (i) to present an outcome of the operating conditions and associated performance of LF the systems studied in the literature regarding removal efficiencies for nutrients and organic matter (OM) in municipal and domestic wastewater (WW) treatment contexts, (ii) to generate long term and reliable results on the potential performances of LF systems for the treatment of real municipal WW (for both OM and nutrients), (iii) to optimize operational conditions such as active layer height, earthworms density, HLR and earthworms type, conditions for which it is still unclear from the current literature which are optimal, and (iv) to assess the performances of the LF in a “temperate climate” context. Overall, LF systems showed high removal efficiencies for organic matter and nutrients for all the operating conditions tested. The study also confirmed the positive impact of earthworms in achieving high level of nitrification of ammonium after a short start-up period. The system operation and performances were maintained without maintenance for the whole duration of the study (over 250 days), showing the potential for keeping high level of performances for long-term periods. Recommendations are given in relation to LF system design such as optimal active layer height and hydraulic loading rate. The study also demonstrated the applicability and potential of Dendrobaena veneta as an alternative to Eisenia fetida (the latter generally being used in previous studies but are less available in some areas of Europe) for application in municipal wastewater treatment by LF.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

  1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation

  2. Earthworms were purchased from https://www.livinggreen.ie/.

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Funding

The INNOQUA (2016–2020) programme was funded under H2020-EU.3.5.4. (Enabling the transition towards a green economy and society through eco-innovation) (Grant agreement ID: 689817).

The funding body did not have a role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, NUI Galway, Alice Perry Engineering Building, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Alexandre Tahar, James Feighan, Louise Hannon & Eoghan Clifford

Authors
  1. Alexandre Tahar
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  2. James Feighan
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  3. Louise Hannon
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  4. Eoghan Clifford
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by AT and JF. The first draft of the manuscript was written by AT, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Alexandre Tahar.

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Tahar, A., Feighan, J., Hannon, L. et al. Optimization of operational conditions and performances of pilot scale lumbrifiltration for real raw municipal wastewater treatment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 32717–32731 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18259-8

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