Constructed Wetlands in Wastewater Treatment and Challenges of Emerging Resistant Genes Filtration and Reloading

Abstract

A wetland is a unique and distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail, and the primary distinctive factor of wetlands from other landforms or water bodies is the occurrence of adaptive vegetation of aquatic plants, characteristic to the unique hydric soil. A constructed wetland is an artificial shallow basin filled with substrate, usually soil or gravel, and planted with vegetation that has tolerance to saturated conditions. As much as the use of constructed wetland has been recommended in the treatment of various forms of wastewater, the system efficiency is a factor of very many natural and artificial factors, with the emerging pollutants and contaminants such as resistant genes being the most complicated contaminants to eliminate through the system. Indeed, the emerging pollutants in forms of antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) have remained prevalent in aquatic environments such as wetlands that receive ARG-loaded sewage. Therefore, this chapter covers a discussion on constructed wetlands in wastewater treatment and challenges of emerging contaminants, such as resistant genes filtration and reloading mechanisms, and provides recommendation for the proper handling and removal of such pollutants from the wetlands' functional system.

Restoration or Rehabilitation of the Faleme River Affected by Mining Activities: What Methods?

“…Constructed wetland systems entail a properly designed and constructed basin that holds water, a substrate that provides filtration pathways, habitat/growth media for the needed organisms, and communities of microbes and aquatic invertebrates, which in most cases develop naturally. Most importantly, constructed wetlands also hold vascular plants whose nature depends on the intended purification role and efficiency [47]. Depending on their location, constructed wetlands are divided into two categories: off-stream and in-stream wetlands (Figure 13).…”

“…-High potential for the remediation of physics and organic pollutants [33] [49] [53]. low running cost, easy maintenance, no secondary pollution, -CW can tolerate fluctuations in flow, sustainably facilitate water recycling and reuse, -Provide favorable habitat for many wetlands organism [47].…”

A Critical Review of Green Approach on Wastewater Treatment Strategies

“…Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that converts organic matter in wastewater into biogas and nutrient-rich sludge. The biogas can be used as a renewable energy source, while the sludge can be used as a fertilizer (Oscar, and Caren, 2021;Gabr et al, 2023). In recent decades, a great deal of thorough research has been done on a novel technology called bioremediation of different waste waters.…”

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“…1) Constructed wetland is an artificial shallow basin filled with substrate, usually soil or gravel, and planted with vegetation that has tolerance to saturated conditions [45,46]. Constructed wetlands are used for wastewater management to protect existing ecosystems [45].…”