The performance of a wetland system in treating lead (Pb)/zinc (Zn) mine drainage was evaluated by using the polyurethane
foam unit (PFU) microbial community (method), which has been adopted by China as a standardized procedure for monitoring water
quality. The wetland system consisted of four cells with three dominant plants: Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis and Paspalum distichum. Physicochemical characteristics [pH, EC, content of total suspended solid (TSS) and metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, and Cu)] and PFU
microbial community in water samples had been investigated from seven sampling sites. The results indicated that the concentrations
of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and TSS in the mine drainage were gradually reduced from the inlet to the outlet of the wetland system
and 99%, 98%, 75%, 83%, and 68% of these metals and TSS respectively, had been reduced in concentration after the drainage
passed through the wetland system. A total of 105 protozoan species were identified, the number of protozoa species and the
diversity index (DI) gradually increased, while the heterotrophic index (HI) gradually decreased from the inlet to the outlet
of the wetland system. The results indicated that DI, HI, and total number species of protozoa could be used as biological
indicators indicating the improvement of water quality. 相似文献