Heavy Metals Removal from Simulated Wastewater using Horizontal Subsurface Constructed Wetland
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Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Iraq
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Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Iraq
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Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Research Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Publication date: 2021-09-01
Corresponding author
Hassimi Abu Hasan
Research Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
J. Ecol. Eng. 2021; 22(8):243-250
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ABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess the efficiency of Nerium oleander in removing three different metals (Cd, Cu, and Ni) from simulated wastewater using horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HSSF-CW) system. The HSSF-CW pilot scale was operated at two hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 4 and 7 days, filled with a substrate layer of sand and gravel. The results indicated that the HSSF-CW had high removal efficiency of Cd and Cu. A higher HRT (7 days) resulted in greater removal efficiency reaching up to (99.3% Cd, 99.5% Cu, 86.3% Ni) compared to 4 days. The substrate played a significant role in removal of metals due to adsorption and precipitation. The N. oleander plant also showed a good tolerance to the uptake of Cd, Cu, and Ni ions from water. The highest removal of the heavy metals indicated that the HSSF-CW would be a promising technology for heavy metal contaminated wastewater as well as in electroplating and manufacturing industries.