Monitoring the assimilation of phosphorus species by root zone of the emergent aquatic macrophyte Eleocharis sp in a pilot treatment system of sanitary wastewater

Abstract

The extensive use of water without previous planning associated with the increase of the pollution and the eutrophication of water bodies such as rivers, dams or reservoirs has led to the deterioration of life quality and of the human health. The discharge of wastewater into water bodies is the main source of phosphorus in aquatic environment - which is a regulating factor for primary productivity that can lead to eutrophication of these water bodies - thus it is essential the development and implementation of management and wastewater treatment systems. This research project is part of the project entitled "Performance of sanitary effluent treatment systems for bed emerging aquatic plants to remove pollutants and the reuse of nutrients: contributions to the spread of this technology/SISTREMAE", funded by the National Foundation of Health (Funasa) with immediate early stage implementation. The main contribution of this research is related to the interest of designing a sanitary wastewater treatment pilot system through the root zone of the aquatic macrophyte Typha domingensis and the evaluation of its efficiency in the assimilation of phosphorus species (mainly phosphate and organic phosphorus). The relevance of this project get together with the present needs for environmental sustainability and preservation of natural resources once it proposes the production of water with better quality through a low cost, green technology system envisioning the moderation of the environmental impacts on water bodies through the release of treated wastewater.