Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Removing heavy metals from Isfahan composting leachate by horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 06 December 2016

Abstract

Composting facility leachate usually contains high concentrations of pollutants including heavy metals that are seriously harmful to the environment and public health. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate heavy metals removal from Isfahan composting facility (ICF) leachate by a horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCWs) system. Two horizontal systems were constructed, one planted with vetiver and the other without plant as a control. They both operated at a flow rate of 24 L/day with a 5-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). The average removal efficiencies for Cr (53 %), Cd (40 %), Ni (35 %), Pb (30 %), Zn (35 %), and Cu (40 %) in vetiver constructed wetland were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05). Accumulations of heavy metals in roots were higher than shoots. Cd and Zn showed the highest and the lowest bioconcentration factor (BCF), respectively. Vetiver tolerates the extreme condition in leachate including high total dissolved solids.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abduli MA, Tavakolli H, Azari A (2013) Alternatives for solid waste management in Isfahan, Iran: a case study. Waste Manag Res 31:532–537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akinbile CO, Yusoff MS, Ahmad Zuki AZ (2012) Landfill leachate treatment using sub-surface flow constructed wetland by Cyperus haspan. Waste Manag 32:1387–1393

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Apha A (2012) WEF (2012), Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Arivoli A, Mohanraj R, Seenivasan R (2015) Application of vertical flow constructed wetland in treatment of heavy metals from pulp and paper industry wastewater. Environ. Sci Pollut Res 1–8

  • Bang J, Kamala-Kannan S, Lee K-J, Cho M, Kim C-H, Kim Y-J, Bae J-H, Kim K-H, Myung H, Oh B-T (2015) Phytoremediation of heavy metals in contaminated water and soil using Miscanthus sp. Goedae-Uksae 1. Int J Phytoremediation 17:515–520

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bowman MS, Clune TS, Sutton BG (2002) Sustainable management of landfill leachate by irrigation. Water Air Soil Pollut 134:81–96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Byekwaso E, Kansiime F, Logstrum J, Andersen S (2002) The optimisation of a reed bed filter for effluent treatment at Kasese Cobalt Company Limited, Uganda, Proceedings of 8th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, pp 660–668

    Google Scholar 

  • Castillo E, Vergara M, Moreno Y (2007) Landfill leachate treatment using a rotating biological contactor and an upward-flow anaerobic sludge bed reactor. Waste Manag 27:720–726

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chandra R, Yadav S, Bharagava R, Murthy R (2008) Bacterial pretreatment enhances removal of heavy metals during treatment of post-methanated distillery effluent by Typha angustata. J Environ Manag 88:1016–1024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chantachon S, Kruatrachue M, Pokethitiyook P, Upatham S, Tantanasarit S, Soonthornsarathool V (2004) Phytoextraction and accumulation of lead from contaminated soil by vetiver grass: laboratory and simulated field study. Water Air Soil Pollut 154:37–55

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Shen Z, Li X (2004) The use of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. Appl Geochem 19:1553–1565

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen TH, Kjeldsen P, Bjerg PL, Jensen DL, Christensen JB, Baun A, Albrechtsen H-J, Heron G (2001) Biogeochemistry of landfill leachate plumes. Appl Geochem 16:659–718

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CIMOGuide (2008) Measurement of sunshine duration. World Meteorological Organization

  • Danh LT, Truong P, Mammucari R, Tran T, Foster N (2009) Vetiver grass, Vetiveria zizanioides: a choice plant for phytoremediation of heavy metals and organic wastes. Int J Phytoremediation 11:664–691

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gunwal I, Singh L, Mago P Comparison of phytoremediation of cadmium and nickel from contaminated soil by Vetiveria Zizanioides L.

  • Hadad HR, Maine MA, Bonetto CA (2006) Macrophyte growth in a pilot-scale constructed wetland for industrial wastewater treatment. Chemosphere 63:1744–1753

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Häder D-P, Kumar H, Smith R, Worrest R (2007) Effects of solar UV radiation on aquatic ecosystems and interactions with climate change. Photochem Photobiol Sci 6:267–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansel CM, LaForce MJ, Sutton S, Fendorf S (2002) Ecosystem dynamics of zinc and manganese within a mine-waste impacted wetland, advanced photon source (APS), Argonne national laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (US)

  • He P-J, Qu X, Shao L-M, Li G-J, Lee D-J (2007) Leachate pretreatment for enhancing organic matter conversion in landfill bioreactor. J Hazard Mater 142:288–296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabata A, Pendias H (2001) Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Kadlec RH (2000) The inadequacy of first-order treatment wetland models. Ecol Eng 15:105–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kadlec R, Knight R (1996) Treatment wetlands. CRC Press 2003

  • Kadlec R, Wallace S (2009) Treatment wetlands, 2nd edn. CRCPress, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanagy LE, Johnson BM, Castle JW, Rodgers JH Jr (2008) Design and performance of a pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system for natural gas storage produced water. Bioresour Technol 99:1877–1885

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan S, Ahmad I, Shah MT, Rehman S, Khaliq A (2009) Use of constructed wetland for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. J Environ Manag 90:3451–3457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kjeldsen P, Barlaz MA, Rooker AP, Baun A, Ledin A, Christensen TH (2002) Present and long-term composition of MSW landfill leachate: a review. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 32:297–336

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koelmans AA, Radovanovic H (1998) Prediction of trace metal distribution coefficients (K D) for aerobic sediments. Water Sci Technol 37:71–78

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kongroy P, Tantemsapya N, Lin Y-F, Jing SR, Wirojanagud W (2012) Spatial distribution of metals in the constructed wetlands. Int J Phytoremediation 14:128–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korzun EA, Heck HH (1990) Sources and fates of lead and cadmium in municipal solid waste. J Air Waste Manage Assoc 40:1220–1226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesage E, Rousseau D, Meers E, Tack F, De Pauw N (2007) Accumulation of metals in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater in Flanders, Belgium. Sci Total Environ 380:102–115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Letelier ME, Sánchez-Jofré S, Peredo-Silva L, Cortés-Troncoso J, Aracena-Parks P (2010) Mechanisms underlying iron and copper ions toxicity in biological systems: pro-oxidant activity and protein-binding effects. Chem Biol Interact 188:220–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maffei M (2003) Vetiveria: the genus Vetiveria. CRC Press, Boca Raton

    Google Scholar 

  • Maine MA, Suñe N, Hadad H, Sánchez G, Bonetto C (2006) Nutrient and metal removal in a constructed wetland for wastewater treatment from a metallurgic industry. Ecol Eng 26:341–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marañón E, Castrillón L, Fernández-Nava Y, Fernández-Méndez A, Fernández-Sánchez A (2008) Coagulation–flocculation as a pretreatment process at a landfill leachate nitrification–denitrification plant. J Hazard Mater 156:538–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page AL (1982) Methods of soil analysis. Part 2. Chemical and microbiological properties. Am Soc Agron Soil Sci Soc Am

  • Papadopoulou M, Karatzas G, Bougioukou G (2007) Numerical modelling of the environmental impact of landfill leachate leakage on groundwater quality—a field application. Environ Model Assess 12:43–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paz-Alberto AM, Sigua GC (2013) Phytoremediation: a green technology to remove environmental pollutants. Am J Clim Chang 2:71–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roongtanakiat N, Nirunrach T, Chanyotha S, Hengchaovanich D (2003) Uptake of heavy metals in landfill leachate by vetiver grass. Kasetsart J (Nat Sci) 37:168–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Rotkittikhun P, Chaiyarat R, Kruatrachue M, Pokethitiyook P, Baker A (2007) Growth and lead accumulation by the grasses Vetiveria zizanioides and Thysanolaena maxima in lead-contaminated soil amended with pig manure and fertilizer: a glasshouse study. Chemosphere 66:45–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sheoran AS, Sheoran V (2006) Heavy metal removal mechanism of acid mine drainage in wetlands: a critical review. Miner Eng 19:105–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sinicrope TL, Langis R, Gersberg RM, Busnardo MJ, Zedler JB (1992) Metal removal by wetland mesocosms subjected to different hydroperiods. Ecol Eng 1:309–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Speer S, Champagne P, Anderson B (2012) Pilot-scale comparison of two hybrid-passive landfill leachate treatment systems operated in a cold climate. Bioresour Technol 104:119–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sultana M-Y, Akratos CS, Pavlou S, Vayenas DV (2014) Chromium removal in constructed wetlands: a review. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 96:181–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamiazzo J, Breschigliaro S, Salvato M, Borin M (2015): Performance of a wall cascade constructed wetland treating surfactant-polluted water. Environ Sci Pollut Res 1–13

  • Terzakis S, Fountoulakis M, Georgaki I, Albantakis D, Sabathianakis I, Karathanasis A, Kalogerakis N, Manios T (2008) Constructed wetlands treating highway runoff in the central Mediterranean region. Chemosphere 72:141–149

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Truong P, Hart B, Chomchalow N, Sombatpanit S, Network PRV (2001) Vetiver system for wastewater treatment. Office of the royal development projects board

  • Tyrrel SF, Seymour I, Harris J (2008) Bioremediation of leachate from a green waste composting facility using waste-derived filter media. Bioresour Technol 99:7657–7664

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J (2005) Removal of heavy metals in a horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetland. J Environ Sci Health A 40:1369–1379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J (2007) Removal of nutrients in various types of constructed wetlands. Sci Total Environ 380:48–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J, Krása P (2005) Heavy metals budget for constructed wetland treatment municipal sewage. In: Vymazal J (ed) Natural and constructed wetlands—nutrients, metals, and management. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands, pp 135–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J, Krsa P (2003) Distribution of Mn, Al, Cu and Zn in a constructed wetland receiving municipal sewage. Water Sci Technol 48:299–305

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vymazal J, Švehla J, Kröpfelová L, Chrastný V (2007) Trace metals in Phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea growing in constructed and natural wetlands. Sci Total Environ 380:154–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, B-P H, Y-Z S, Z-Q P (2009) Advanced wastewater treatment by integrated vertical flow constructed wetland with Vetiveria zizanioides in north China. Procedia Earth Planet Sci 1:1258–1262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wojciechowska E, Gajewska M, Obarska-Pempkowiak H (2010) Treatment of landfill leachate by constructed wetlands: three case studies. Pol J Environ Stud 19:2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Yalcuk A, Ugurlu A (2009) Comparison of horizontal and vertical constructed wetland systems for landfill leachate treatment. Bioresour Technol 100:2521–2526

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ye Z, Whiting S, Lin Z-Q, Lytle C, Qian J, Terry N (2001) Removal and distribution of iron, manganese, cobalt, and nickel within a Pennsylvania constructed wetland treating coal combustion by-product leachate. J Environ Qual 30:1464–1473

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zayed A, Gowthaman S, Terry N (1998) Phytoaccumulation of trace elements by wetland plants: I. Duckweed. J Environ Qual 27:715–721

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao J, Lu X-Q, Luo J-H, Liu J-Y, Xu Y-F, Zhao A-H, Liu F, Tai J, Qian G-R, Peng B (2013) Characterization of fresh leachate from a refuse transfer station under different seasons. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 85:631–637

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The financial support for this research was provided by Isfahans Municipality and Solid Waste Management Organization. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Gholamreza Goudarzi and Mr. Alireza Rasouli, which have helped improve this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Water Science Engineering, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran

    Reza Bakhshoodeh

  2. Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Nadali Alavi

  3. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Nadali Alavi

  4. Microbial Biotechnology and Biosafety Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Karaj, Iran

    Amir Soltani Mohammadi & Hossein Ghanavati

  5. Department of Irrigation and Drainage, School of Water Sciences Engineering, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran

    Amir Soltani Mohammadi & Hossein Ghanavati

Authors
  1. Reza Bakhshoodeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nadali Alavi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Amir Soltani Mohammadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hossein Ghanavati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nadali Alavi.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8012-3.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bakhshoodeh, R., Alavi, N., Soltani Mohammadi, A. et al. Removing heavy metals from Isfahan composting leachate by horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 12384–12391 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6373-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6373-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation