Influence of UV radiation on chlorophyll,and antioxidant enzymes of wetland plants in different types of constructed wetland

A surface- and vertical subsurface-flow-constructed wetland were designed to study the response of chlorophyll and antioxidant enzymes to elevated UV radiation in three types of wetland plants (Canna indica, Phragmites austrail, and Typha augustifolia). Results showed that (1) chlorophyll content of C. indica, P. austrail, and T. augustifolia in the constructed wetland was significantly lower where UV radiation was increased by 10 and 20 % above ambient solar level than in treatment with ambient solar UV radiation (p?C. indica, P. australis, and T. angustifolia by elevated UV radiation of 10 % was higher in vertical subsurface-flow-constructed wetland than in surface-flow-constructed wetland. The sensitivity of MDA, SOD, POD, and CAT activities of C. indica, P. austrail, and T. augustifolia to the elevated UV radiation was lower in surface-flow-constructed wetland than in the vertical subsurface-flow-constructed wetland, which was related to a reduction in UV radiation intensity through the dissolved organic carbon and suspended matter in the water. C. indica had the highest SOD and POD activities, which implied it is more sensitive to enhanced UV radiation. Therefore, different wetland plants had different antioxidant enzymes by elevated UV radiation, which were more sensitive in vertical subsurface-flow-constructed wetland than in surface-flow-constructed wetland.     

Molecular cloning, characterization of CAT, and eco-toxicological effects of dietary zinc oxide on antioxidant enzymes in Eisenia fetida

The full-length cDNA of catalase (EfCAT) from Eisenia fetida was cloned (GenBank accession no. JN617999). Sequence characterization revealed that EfCAT protein sequence contained proximal heme-ligand signature sequence (³⁵¹RLFSYSDTH³⁵⁹), two glycosylation sites (N₁₄₅ and N₄₃₆), the proximal active site signature (⁶¹FDRERIPERVVHAKGAGA⁷⁸), and 12 amino acids (N₁₄₅, H₁₉₁, F₁₉₅, S₁₉₈, R₂₀₀, N₂₁₀, Y₂₁₂, K₂₃₄, I₂₉₉, W₃₀₀, Q₃₀₂, and Y₃₅₅), which were identified as putative residues involved in NADPH binding. These conserved motifs and catalase signature sequences were essential for the structure and function of EfCAT. The present study also investigated the effect of the veterinary food additive zinc oxide on antioxidant processes in E. fetida, at different concentrations and exposure durations. A significant increase (by 106.0 % compared to controls) in CAT activity at 500 mg/kg was registered at day 15. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity at 500 mg/kg increased to the maximum value (by 44.0 %) measured at day 15. There was a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity for all concentrations after 5 days. The results showed that dietary Zn (500 mg/kg) causes oxidative damage to earthworms. At early stages of earthworms exposed to ZnO, GPx is the main enzyme to impair the oxidative status; while at later stages the enzymes CAT and SOD were the main indicators of oxidative stress. The antioxidant enzymatic variations may be an adaptive response of earthworms to survive in contaminated soils.     

组合型生态浮床对水体修复及植物氮磷吸收能力研究

在天鹅湖水体中构建以水生植物和陆生喜水植物为实验植物,浮法控制器、水循环增氧系统和造浪-输送系统相集合的组合型生态浮床。在中试研究中,研究了其对天鹅湖上覆水和沉积物中营养物质的修复动态。结果表明,经过4个多月的组合型生态浮床生态修复,天鹅湖上覆水中TN、NH4+-N和TP的去除率分别达到61.92%、63.09%和80.0%,沉积物中TN和NH4+-N含量的去除率分别达到23.79%和37.04%,TP含量升高了43.71%;组合型生态浮床的5种浮床植物的氮磷累积量差异显著,再力花和美人蕉对氮磷的吸收速率显著高于菖蒲、薄荷和水稻,再力花和美人蕉对氮的吸收速率达到12.19 g/(m2.d)和7.90 g/(m2.d),对磷吸收分别达到0.81 g/(m2.d)和0.99 g/(m2.d)。美人蕉和再力花对氮磷的吸收量均是茎叶>根系,其中美人蕉茎叶氮、磷吸收量分别为根系的2.73倍和1.93倍,再力花分别为1.83倍和1.19倍,通过浮床系统植物水上部分的收割可以去除水体中的氮磷。     

复合人工湿地去除生活污水中的有机物和氮

为提高人工湿地对生活污水的处理能力,对传统的单一垂直流湿地进行改进和优化。采用2个垂直流人工湿地串联,并在好氧湿地内增加曝气供氧,使好氧湿地内溶解氧保持在2～2.5 mg/L范围内,而后增加出水回流。结果表明,增加曝气显著提高了出水的COD、NH3-N去除率,但TN去除效果仍不达标;当随着回流比的增加,NH3-N的去除率略有提高,而后趋于稳定,TN去除率提高显著,但回流比过大时,TN去除率则有所下降。     

Vermiremediation of dyeing sludge from textile mill with the help of exotic earthworm Eisenia fetida Savigny

The aim of present study was for the vermiremediation of dyeing sludge from textile mill into nutrient-rich vermicompost using earthworm Eisenia fetida. The dyeing sludge was mixed with cattle dung in different ratios, i.e., 0:100 (D₀), 25:75 (D₂₅), 50:50 (D₅₀), 75:25 (D₇₅), and 100:0 (D₁₀₀) with earthworms, and 0:100 (S₀), 25:75 (S₂₅), 50:50 (S₅₀), 75:25 (S₇₅), and 100:0 (S₁₀₀) without earthworms. Minimum mortality and maximum population build-up were observed in a 25:75 mixture. Nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium, and pH increased from the initial to the final products with earthworms, while electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, organic carbon, and potassium declined in all the feed mixtures. Vermicomposting with E. fetida was better for composting to change this sludge into nutrient-rich manure.     

Nitrogen transformations and balance in constructed wetlands for slightly polluted river water treatment using different macrophytes

Nitrogen removal processing in different constructed wetlands treating different kinds of wastewater often varies, and the contribution to nitrogen removal by various pathways remains unclear. In this study, the seasonal nitrogen removal and transformations as well as nitrogen balance in wetland microcosms treating slightly polluted river water was investigated. The results showed that the average total nitrogen removal rates varied in different seasons. According to the mass balance approach, plant uptake removed 8.4–34.3 % of the total nitrogen input, while sediment storage and N₂O emission contributed 20.5–34.4 % and 0.6–1.9 % of nitrogen removal, respectively. However, the percentage of other nitrogen loss such as N₂ emission due to nitrification and denitrification was estimated to be 2.0–23.5 %. The results indicated that plant uptake and sediment storage were the key factors limiting nitrogen removal besides microbial processes in surface constructed wetland for treating slightly polluted river water.     

Enhanced organics and nitrogen removal in batch-operated vertical flow constructed wetlands by combination of intermittent aeration and step feeding strategy

Oxygen and carbon source supply are usually insufficient in subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Simultaneous removal of organic pollutants and nitrogen in five batch-operated vertical flow constructed wetlands under different operating conditions was investigated. Alternate aerobic and anaerobic regions were created well with intermittent aeration. Four-month experiments showed that the wetland-applied intermittent aeration combined with step feeding strategy (reactor E) greatly improved the removal of organics, ammonium nitrogen (NH₄–N), and total nitrogen (TN) simultaneously, which were 97, 96, and 82 %, respectively. It was much better than non-aerated reactors A and B and outperformed intermittently aerated reactor D without step feeding. Continuous aeration (reactor C) significantly enhanced the organics removal and nitrification, but it limited the TN removal (29 %) seriously as a result of low denitrification level, and the high operation cost remained a question. The effect of plants was confirmed in this study, and the monitoring data showed that the plants could grow normally. Intermittent aeration as well as step feeding had no obvious influence on the growth of wetland plants in this study.     

Start-up of sequencing batch reactor with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thiosphaera pantotropha</Emphasis> for treatment of high-strength nitrogenous wastewater and sludge characterization

Biological treatment of high-strength nitrogenous wastewater is challenging due to low growth rate of autotrophic nitrifiers. This study reports bioaugmentation of Thiosphaera pantotropha capable of simultaneously performing heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification (SND) in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). SBRs fed with 1:1 organic-nitrogen (N) and NH₄ ⁺-N were started up with activated sludge and T. pantotropha by gradual increase in N concentration. Sludge bulking problems initially observed could be overcome through improved aeration and mixing and change in carbon source. N removal decreased with increase in initial nitrogen concentration, and only 50–60 % removal could be achieved at the highest N concentration of 1000 mg L^?1 at 12-h cycle time. SND accounted for 28 % nitrogen loss. Reducing the settling time to 5–10 min and addition of divalent metal ions gradually improved the settling characteristics of sludge. Sludge aggregates of 0.05–0.2 mm diameter, much smaller than typical aerobic granules, were formed and progressive increase in settling velocity, specific gravity, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, protein, and polysaccharides was observed over time. Granulation facilitated total nitrogen (TN) removal at a constant rate over the entire 12-h cycle and thus increased TN removal up to 70 %. Concentrations of NO₂ ^?-N and NO₃ ^?-N were consistently low indicating effective denitrification. Nitrogen removal was possibly limited by urea hydrolysis/nitrification. Presence of T. pantotropha in the SBRs was confirmed through biochemical tests and 16S rDNA analysis.     

Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the earthworm Eisenia fetida induced by low doses of fomesafen

Formesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide that has adverse effects on non-target animals. However, knowledge about the effect of fomesafen on the antioxidant defense system in earthworms is vague. Thus, it is essential to investigate the effects of fomesafen on the antioxidant defense system in earthworms as a precautionary method. In the present study, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were exposed to artificial soil treated with a range of concentrations of fomesafen (0, 10, 100, and 500 μg kg^?1) and were collected on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days of exposure. Subsequently, the antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT); and guaiacol peroxidase (POD)), reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content due to fomesafen treatment were examined in earthworms. Compared with the control, the SOD activity increased on the third and seventh days but decreased on the 14th day due to treatment with 100 and 500 μg kg^?1 of fomesafen. The activities of CAT and POD increased significantly on the third, seventh, and 14th days of exposure. In addition, the ROS level was significantly enhanced throughout the entire experimental period and showed a statistically dose-dependent relationship on the seventh and 14th days. The MDA content markedly increased on the seventh day of exposure; however, obvious changes were not detected at other exposure period. Low doses of fomesafen (≤500 μg kg^?1) may result in oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in E. fetida by inducing the generation of ROS at short exposure periods (14 days). However, the adverse effects of fomesafen gradually disappear as the cooperation of antioxidant enzymes and exposure time are prolonged. This result may be helpful for further studies on the toxicological mechanisms of fomesafen to earthworms.     

改进型波形潜流人工湿地处理猪场废水

提出了一种改进型波形潜流人工湿地(improved wavy subsurface flow constructed wetland,IW-SFCW)并研究了该湿地系统在5个水力停留时间(hydraulic retention time,HRT)(2、3、4、6和8 d)下对猪场废水的处理效果。结果表明,该湿地系统对猪场废水中各污染物有较好的去除效果。在水力停留时间为4 d,进水COD、TN、NH4+-N和TP浓度分别为511、120、110和10 mg/L左右时,该湿地系统对COD、TN、NH4+-N和TP的去除率分别为86.0%、54.4%、70.1%和91.6%。此外,该湿地系统对废水中COD、TP的去除效率随水力停留时间的延长逐渐提高,在HRT=8 d时去除效果最好,去除率分别达到92.7%和96.8%;但对TN、NH4+-N的去除率却随水力停留时间的延长出现先上升后下降的趋势,在HRT=4 d时去除率最高,分别为54.4%和70.1%。     

Sterilization affects soil organic matter chemistry and bioaccumulation of spiked p,p′-DDE and anthracene by earthworms

Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of soil sterilization on the bioavailability of spiked p,p′-DDE and anthracene to the earthworms Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. Physical and chemical changes to soil organic matter (SOM) induced by sterilization were also studied. Uptake of both compounds added after soil was autoclaved or gamma irradiated increased for E. fetida. Sterilization had no effect on bioaccumulation of p,p′-DDE by L. terrestris, and anthracene uptake increased only in gamma-irradiated soils. Analyses by FT-IR and DSC indicate sterilization alters SOM chemistry and may reduce pollutant sorption. Chemical changes to SOM were tentatively linked to changes in bioaccumulation, although the effects were compound and species specific. Artifacts produced by sterilization could lead to inaccurate risk assessments of contaminated sites if assumptions derived from studies carried out in sterilized soil are used. Ultimately, knowledge of SOM chemistry could aid predictions of bioaccumulation of organic pollutants.     

Responses of earthworm to aluminum toxicity in latosol

Excess aluminum (Al) in soils due to acid rain leaching is toxic to water resources and harmful to soil organisms and plants. This study investigated adverse impacts of Al levels upon earthworms (Eisenia fetida) from the latosol (acidic red soil). Laboratory experiments were performed to examine the survival and avoidance of earthworms from high Al concentrations and investigate the response of earthworms upon Al toxicity at seven different Al concentrations that ranged from 0 to 300 mg kg^?1 over a 28-day period. Our study showed that the rate of the earthworm survival was 100 % within the first 7 days and decreased as time elapsed, especially for the Al concentrations at 200 and 300 mg kg^?1. A very good linear correlation existed between the earthworm avoidance and the soil Al concentration. There was no Al toxicity to earthworms with the Al concentration ≤50 mg kg^?1, and the toxicity started with the Al concentration ≥100 mg kg^?1. Low Al concentration (i.e., <50 mg kg^?1) enhanced the growth of the earthworms, while high Al concentration (>100 mg kg^?1) retarded the growth of the earthworms. The weight of earthworms and the uptake of Al by earthworms increased with the Al concentrations from 0 to 50 mg kg^?1 and decreased with the Al concentrations from 50 to 300 mg kg^?1. The protein content in the earthworms decreased with the Al concentrations from 0 to 100 mg kg^?1 and increased from 100 to 300 mg kg^?1. In contrast, the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the earthworms increased with the Al concentrations from 0 to 100 mg kg^?1 and decreased from 100 to 300 mg kg^?1. The highest CAT and SOD activities and lowest protein content were found at the Al concentration of 100 mg kg^?1. Results suggest that a high level of Al content in latosol was harmful to earthworms.     

水深对表面流人工湿地污染河水处理系统运行效果的影响

基于中试系统一年的连续运行监测,研究了水深对芦苇表面流人工湿地污染河水处理系统的影响。结果表明,水深对表面流人工湿地污染河水处理系统运行效果有很大影响,在进水COD、氨氮、总氮和总磷等分别为36±4.46、0.92±0.47、6.27±2.01和0.13±0.05 mg/L条件下,水深50 cm时处理效果最好,COD、氨氮、总氮和总磷去除率分别达到42.75%、58.42%、56.94%和43.24%。综合污染物去除效果和人工湿地建设工程量,芦苇表面流人工湿地的水深宜采用50 cm。人工湿地系统中植物光合生理和溶解氧等研究表明,水深主要通过影响植物生长和溶解氧等而影响人工湿地的水质净化效果。     

Influence of plant-earthworm interactions on SOM chemistry and p,p'-DDE bioaccumulation

Laboratory experiments assessed how bioaccumulation of weathered p,p′-DDE from soil and humic acid (HA) chemistry are affected by interactions between the plants Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo and ssp. ovifera and the earthworms Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus terrestris, and Apporectodea caliginosa. Total organochlorine phytoextraction by ssp. pepo increased at least 25% in the presence of any of the earthworm species (relative to plants grown in isolation). Uptake of the compound by ssp. ovifera was unaffected by earthworms. Plants influenced earthworm bioaccumulation as well. When combined with pepo, p,p′-DDE levels in E. fetida decreased by 50%, whereas, in the presence of ovifera, bioconcentration by L. terrestris increased by more than 2-fold. Spectral analysis indicated a decrease in hydrophobicity of HA in each of the soils in which both pepo and earthworms were present. However, HA chemistry from ovifera treatments was largely unaffected by earthworms. Risk assessments of contaminated soils should account for species interactions, and SOM chemistry may be a useful indictor of pollutant bioaccumulation.     

Management of fresh water weeds (macrophytes) by vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida

In the present study, potential of Eisenia fetida to recycle the different types of fresh water weeds (macrophytes) used as substrate in different reactors (Azolla pinnata reactor, Trapa natans reactor, Ceratophyllum demersum reactor, free-floating macrophytes mixture reactor, and submerged macrophytes mixture reactor) during 2 months experiment is investigated. E. fetida showed significant variation in number and weight among the reactors and during the different fortnights (P <0.05) with maximum in A. pinnata reactor (number 343.3?±?10.23 %; weight 98.62?±?4.23 % ) and minimum in submerged macrophytes mixture reactor (number 105?±?5.77 %; weight 41.07?±?3.97 % ). ANOVA showed significant variation in cocoon production (F₄?=?15.67, P <0.05) and mean body weight (F₄?=?13.49, P <0.05) among different reactors whereas growth rate (F₃?=?23.62, P <0.05) and relative growth rate (F₃?=?4.91, P <0.05) exhibited significant variation during different fortnights. Reactors showed significant variation (P <0.05) in pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Organic carbon (OC), Organic nitrogen (ON), and C/N ratio during different fortnights with increase in pH, EC, N, and K whereas decrease in OC and C/N ratio. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped five substrates (weeds) into three clusters—poor vermicompost substrates, moderate vermicompost substrate, and excellent vermicompost substrate. Two principal components (PCs) have been identified by factor analysis with a cumulative variance of 90.43 %. PC1 accounts for 47.17 % of the total variance represents “reproduction factor” and PC2 explaining 43.26 % variance representing “growth factor.” Thus, the nature of macrophyte affects the growth and reproduction pattern of E. fetida among the different reactors, further the addition of A. pinnata in other macrophytes reactors can improve their recycling by E. fetida.     

潜流人工湿地对微污染河水的净化效果

为了探讨潜流人工湿地对微污染河水的净化效果,在野外条件下构建潜流人工湿地,分析了湿地中pH、氧化还原电位(ORP)和DO的进出水变化,考察了湿地中污染物的净化效果,探讨了温度对湿地净化效果的影响。各湿地进、出水DO浓度相差不大;除美人蕉湿地外,其余湿地出水pH较进水变化较小;植物湿地出水ORP较进水均有所增大。植物湿地对污染物的去除效果均优于空白湿地,且随着气温的升高,NH4+-N、TN和CODMn的去除率逐渐增加,去除率分别可达90%、50%和20%。TP去除率却未随温度发生明显变化,始终波动在30%～60%之间。相关性分析结果表明湿地中NH4+-N和TN的去除率与温度相关,较低的有机物浓度造成CODMn的去除率与温度相关性差,由于湿地对磷的去除主要以颗粒态磷(PP)为主,TP的去除与温度不相关。     

Examination of oxygen release from plants in constructed wetlands in different stages of wetland plant life cycle

The quantification of oxygen release by plants in different stages of wetland plant life cycle was made in this study. Results obtained from 1 year measurement in subsurface wetland microcosms demonstrated that oxygen release from Phragmites australis varied from 108.89 to 404.44 mg O₂/m²/d during the different periods from budding to dormancy. Plant species, substrate types, and culture solutions had a significant effect on the capacity of oxygen release of wetland plants. Oxygen supply by wetland plants was estimated to potentially support a removal of 300.37 mg COD/m²/d or 55.87 mg NH₄-N/m²/d. According to oxygen balance analysis, oxygen release by plants could provide 0.43–1.12 % of biochemical oxygen demand in typical subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (CWs). This demonstrates that oxygen release of plants may be a potential source for pollutants removal especially in low-loaded CWs. The results make it possible to quantify the role of plants in wastewater purification.     

Phosphorus removal in a sulfur–limestone autotrophic denitrification (SLAD) biofilter

The sulfur–limestone autotrophic denitrification (SLAD) biofilter was able to remove phosphorous from wastewater during autotrophic denitrification. Parameters influencing autotrophic denitrification in the SLAD biofilter, such as hydraulic retention time (HRT), influent nitrate (NO₃ ^?), and influent PO₄ ^3? concentrations, had significant effects on P removal. P removal was well correlated with total oxidized nitrogen (TON) removed in the SLAD biofilter; the more TON removed, the more efficient P removal was achieved. When treating the synthetic wastewater containing NO₃ ^?-N of 30 mg L^?1 and PO₄ ^3?-P of 15 mg L^?1, the SLAD biofilter removed phosphorus of 45 % when the HRT was 6 h, in addition with TN removal of nearly 100 %. The optimal phosphorus removal in the SLAD biofilter was around 60 %. For the synthetic wastewater containing a PO₄ ^3?-P concentration of 15 mg L^?1, the main mechanism of phosphorus removal was the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates.     

高速泳动床对村镇微污染水体的预处理效果

利用高速泳动床反应器作为预处理装置处理村镇微污染水体,出水进入组合人工湿地。结果表明,实验阶段高速泳动床在HRT为1.2 h时,尽管泳动床进水各污染物浓度较低,但反应器对COD、TN和TP仍具有较明显(P<0.05)的去除效果,平均去除率分别为11.3%、14.6%和25.8%。高速泳动床反应器对氨氮去除效果尤为明显,去除率达到46.9%。此外,高速泳动床反应器内硝化作用较强,出水中硝态氮含量平均增加率为45.5%,弥补了后续人工湿地硝化作用不强、除氨氮效果不佳的缺点。     

不同回流比对无植物垂直流人工湿地除氮效果的影响

通过内碳源前置反硝化脱氮工艺试验，比较了不同回流比对垂直流人工湿地除氮效果的影响。试验结果表明，TN去除率随着回流比增加而增加，NH⁺₄-N去除率则随着回流比的增加先降低后增加的趋势，两者去除率之和以回流比200％为最高，以回流比150％次之，以回流比100％为最低。从TN的去除率来看，回流比150％略高于回流比200％。