PHYTOTREATMENT

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PHYTOTREATMENT
Solutions for the remediation of water bodies and lagoons with natural systems
Restoration of lagoons | Revitalisation of water bodies | Development of control algal | Wastewater treatment
Phytotreatment is a bioremediation method in which soil and water contaminants are removed by
planting plants that absorbs specific contaminants through their roots or foliage. There are
different systems that ESWEG applies for phytotreatment which depends on the aim, final uses of
water and location where it has to be implemented.
▶ PURIFICATION BY FLOATING ECOSYSTEMS
Nowadays wastewater and pollution treatment by plants (phytopurification) is well known. By
proposing floating vegetated filters rather than expanding a treatment plant or creating a new lagoon,
we offer a decidedly less expensive alternative, but engineering, easy to implement and requires no
maintenance. The interest is ecological, economical and aesthetic. The use of native plants from
wetlands can treat municipal sewage and sequester industrial heavy metals, or complement the
treatment in place. This "rustic" process, reliable and inexpensive can be implemented in all cases.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Made of an articulated floating structure, the
floating vegetated filters are covered with a
mat of coir fiber vegetated with helophytes. At
the interface of vegetation cover and water a
Xylit fiber mat will immediately capture most of
the nutrients in the water and bring them
directly around plants. Therefore, upon
installation of the floating filters and planted
any season, even in the absence of growth
plant, you get immediate results.
ESWEG | Phytotreatment
In spring and summer when the plants grow faster,
thus purify larger volumes and sequester
pollutants. Moreover the root system of vegetated
floating filters increases the area of available
habitat to better promote of bacterial colonization
and the purification processes. Throughout the
year, zooplankton that grows in the rhizosphere
provides food and habitat for aquatic fauna. The
cover provides aestheticism and biodiversity.
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ADVANTAGES
ACTIONS
Autonomous
Simple installation without handling
Effective immediately and continuing
No operating costs
Robust
Natural look and aesthetic
Mobilization of nutrients
Increased biodiversity
Reduction of turbidity
Algal control development
PERFORMANCE TESTING
Experiments conducted in the
United
States
on
lagoon
systems using vegetated rafts
have the following results:
Parameter
Suspended matter
Biological Oxygen Demand
Total Nitrogen
Lagoon
Treatment rate
(mg/j/m²)
1,74
Efficiency
Input / Output of
lagoon
89%
21,5
7,4
40%
46%
REWARDS
Gold Medal for Innovation at the European Conference of landscape in 2007 for vegetated rafts.
Paysalia Jury Prize "The trophies towards sustainable development".
Medal of innovation at Galabau 2011 in Nuremberg.
Sustainable Business Awards of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
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ESWEG KEYPROJECTS
In combination with a self-mixing system...
Restoration in gravel pits...
In support for sanitation systems by lagoon...
Fighting against Jussie (Najas sp.)...
The environmental challenges we face
require
simple
solutions,
affordable,
effective and elegant.
ESWEG pools, north and south of Europe, skills
and experience of five specialized companies in
bioengineering of lakes and watercourses.
Landscaping...
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▶ WASTEWATER AND STORM WATER TREATMENT BY CONSTRUCTED
WETLANDS
The construction of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) in urban areas is widely spread but the
situation is different in rural areas or in small towns or communities due to its high construction costs,
need of regular maintenance and high energy costs. We offer constructed wetlands as a cheaper and
more feasible option rather than conventional systems because the treatment occurs by the
application of natural processes. It is sustainable and ecological as it doesn’t have energy costs,
maintenance is only made occasionally and the implementation it’s cheaper and easier. Many
different types of constructed wetlands have been designed and implemented for more than 30 years
worldwide.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
It is a natural filter system in which wastewater and/or storm water is treated by an area of gravel of
different sizes, where helophytes are planted and perform a biological filtering system with their roots.
These systems are always integrated to the environment, improving aesthetic and ecological values
(such as nutrient sinks, buffering areas and wildlife, shoreline stabilisation, flood control and
purification).
Purification processes are performed simultaneously to physical, chemical and biological
components. This type of treatment system may be implemented in different ways, according to the
location or characteristics of the wastewater. We divide these types according to hydrology in:
1. Subsurface flow treatment systems (SSF)
consist of subsurface flow channels filled with
granular material, usually gravel, where the
water level remains below the granular surface.
As it is a closed system it has high rates of
reaction (creation of microorganisms) and
therefore does not need as much surface as the
free-flow systems. It prevents the presence of
mosquitoes and odours and has thermal
protection.
ESWEG | Phytotreatment
2. Free-flow or free water surface treatment
systems (FWS) are composed of parallel
channels or ponds, on an impermeable soil,
with emergent vegetation and shallow water
levels (0.6 m. maximum). The treatment occurs
during the water flow through the stems and
roots of emergent vegetation.
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ADVANTAGES
ACTIONS
Simplicity of operation.
Low-cost maintenance.
Fulfills regional, national and European
levels in terms of domestic wastewater
treatment.
High-resilience and self-regeneration
capacity, getting effectiveness
immediately and continuing.
No production of waste, biosolids or
sludge which require further treatment
and disposal.
In subsurface waste water systems there
are no odor problems or mosquitoes.
Effective treatment of biodegradable organic
matter and reduction of nitrogen and
phosphorus levels.
Landscape improvement.
Low environmental costs.
PERFORMANCE TESTING
The efficiency of wetlands is very
high in reduction of BOD5, SS
and nitrogen and it performs
significant levels in metals and
pathogens.
Analysis carried out in the
wastewater treatment system in
Can Salas (Barcelona, Spain)
had the following results:
Variable
pH
Electrical conductivity
(µS/cm2)
Average of all samples
Average input Average output
(n=16)
(n=16)
7,7
8
1230
1255
BOD5 (mg/L)
96
19
COD (mg/L)
170
38
Phosphates (mg/L)
11
2
Organic nitrogen (mg/L)
76
22
Ammonia nitrogen (mg/L)
16*
22*
SS (mg/L)
48
14
*n=6
Effluent legal limits: COD (125 mg / L), BOD5 (25 mg / L), SS (35
mg / L) for populations between 2000 and 10000 ha. Limits vary
depending on final use.
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ESWEG KEYPROJECTS
SSF system in natural Parks as a solution for isolated places...
SSF in a nursery as an opportunity to reuse
wastewater of the offices in the nursery pools...
SSF in a private house as a low cost treatment...
ESWEG | Phytotreatment
FWS in a natural area, landscaping...
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FWS adapted to the topography...
FWS using coir vegetated rolls...
FWS creating new recreational areas for visitants...
FWS as a solution for storm water treatment
combined with floating islands...
Constructed wetlands should not be
confused with created or restored
wetlands, which have the primary function
of wildlife habitat.
Constructed wetlands usually mimic
natural wetlands and are frequently built
in or near places that have historically
had wetlands, and are often built as
compensatory
mitigation
(USEPA,
1
1999) .
FWS to solve storm water problems...
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USEPA (1999). Manual. Constructed Wetlands Treatment of Municipal Wastewaters. EPA/625/R-99/010.
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CONTACT DETAILS:
AQUATERRA SOLUTIONS®
Les Vincentes – 26270 Cliousclat – France
Service Génie Végétal
Tél. : +33 (0) 475 638 438/435 – Fax : +33 (0) 475 638 468
[email protected] - www.aquaterra-solutions.fr
Gabions, plant engineering, bank protection and embankment
OEKON Vegetationstechnik
D – 25499 Tangstedt
[email protected]
www.oekon-vegetationstechnik.de
Leader of helophytes fascines
SALIX RIVER & WETLAND SERVICIES LIMITED
Blackhills Nurseries - Croxton Park
Blackhills Lane - Thetford
Gower - Norfolk
Swansea - IP24 1LS
SA2 7JN
Tel.: 0870 350 1851 - Fax: 0870 350 1852
[email protected] - www.salixrw.com
AQUANEA S.L.
C/ Terra Alta, 51. Polígono industrial Can Carner. 08211 Castellar
del Vallès (Barcelona) – Spain
Tel. +34 937300996 – Fax + 34 93 7143908
[email protected] – www.aquanea.com
THULICA AB
Box 81, 437 21 Lindome
Sagbäcksvägen 17, 437 31 Lindome
Tel. 031-994199 – Fax. 031-7459481
[email protected] - http://www.thulica.com
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