Application of Constructed Wetland Systems for Agricultural Wastewater Treatment in the Mediterranean Region

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Wastewater Treatment and Reuse".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 9625

Special Issue Editors

Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: agronomy and crop sciences; constructed wetlands; wastewater reuse in agriculture; phytoremediation of polluted water and soil; industrial crops for energy use; aromatic and medicinal plants; turfgrass for sport fields; green roof ecosystem functioning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: agronomy and crop sciences; aromatic and medicinal plants; constructed wetlands; wastewater reuse in agriculture; turfgrass; green roofs; industrial crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, Università degli Studi di Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Interests: agronomy and crop sciences; aromatic and medicinal plants; constructed wetlands; wastewater reuse in agriculture; turfgrass; green roofs; industrial crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wastewaters generated by agro-industrial operations usually represent an unsustainable cost for farms due to high wastewater-treatment management costs. Farmers tend to reuse these wastewaters to contribute to crop fertilization; however, their direct application can have negative effects on the soil environment due to high concentrations of nutrients, organic matter, salts, and pathogens. Furthermore, high organic loads can be a source of pollution for surface waters if these wastewaters are discharged directly into water bodies, leading to eutrophication. In the Mediterranean area, agro-industrial activities provide a large variety of wastewaters, such as dairy parlor, olive mill, and winery wastewaters. These wastewaters can vary in quantity and in quality depending on the time of the year, making the use of a conventional treatment system less efficient and more costly. When considering the geographical position of such farms, most are located close to areas of ecological importance, such as lakes, lagoons, ponds, and open fields; therefore, it is crucial that wastewaters undergo treatment directly on farms. In recent years, the use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of wastewaters has been widely investigated throughout the world due to the benefits these systems offer. They are simple to build, have low maintenance costs, provide an efficient solution in the treatment of a number of wastewater types from agriculture, permit the reuse of wastewaters, and are sustainable compared with conventional treatment methods. In areas with prolonged water scarcity, constructed wetlands can provide other advantages, such as a reduction in freshwater and nutrients consumption for irrigated agriculture. Despite this, the use of constructed wetland systems for agriculture wastewater treatment is still not common amongst farmers, and one of the main reasons could be related to public acceptance and perception of wastewater treatment and reuse. This Special Issue of Water on “Application of Constructed Wetland Systems for Agricultural Wastewater Treatment in the Mediterranean Region” aims to illustrate how constructed wetlands systems are efficient in the treatment of wastewaters generated by agro-industrial activities and how they can provide agronomic, economic, and environmental benefits for farmers. The implementation of current knowledge in this field appears necessary considering policies regarding environmental conservation.

Original research and review papers are welcome. Papers chosen for publication will be selected by a rigorous peer-review procedure with the aim of rapid dissemination of the research results.

Key topics in this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

-      Agricultural wastewater treatment by constructed wetlands;
-      Dairy, animal farm, olive mill, and winery wastewaters;
-      Efficiency of single and hybrid constructed wetlands systems;
-      Vegetation and porous media choice related to the type of wastewater;
-      Quality improvement of agricultural wastewaters;
-      Environmental benefits in farms;
-      Legislation;
-      Farmer acceptance and perception of agricultural wastewater treatment and reuse;
-      Case studies in the Mediterranean area.

Dr. Mario Licata
Assoc. Prof. Salvatore La Bella
Assoc. Prof. Teresa Tuttolomondo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Constructed wetlands
  • Agricultural wastewater
  • Treatment efficiency
  • Water quality
  • Water resources management
  • Environmental conservation
  • Farmer acceptance and perception
  • Advanced applications

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 1142 KiB  
Article
Constructed Wetlands to Face Water Scarcity and Water Pollution Risks: Learning from Farmers’ Perception in Alicante, Spain
by Sandra Ricart and Antonio M. Rico-Amorós
Water 2021, 13(17), 2431; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w13172431 - 04 Sep 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3226
Abstract
Treated wastewater is constantly produced and relatively unaffected by climatic conditions, while Constructed Wetlands (CWs) are recognized as green technology and a cost-effective alternative to improve treated wastewater quality standards. This paper analyses how farmers consider (1) treated wastewater to face water scarcity [...] Read more.
Treated wastewater is constantly produced and relatively unaffected by climatic conditions, while Constructed Wetlands (CWs) are recognized as green technology and a cost-effective alternative to improve treated wastewater quality standards. This paper analyses how farmers consider (1) treated wastewater to face water scarcity risk and (2) CW as mechanisms to face agricultural water pollution in a climate change adaptation context. A survey about climate change perception and adaptation measures was answered by 177 farmers from two irrigation communities near El Hondo coastal wetland and the Santa Pola saltmarshes, both perceived as natural-constructed systems in Alicante, southern Spain. Results highlighted how, even with poor-quality standards, treated wastewater is considered a non-riskier measure and more reliable option when addressing climate change impacts. Overall, physical water harvesting (such as CWs) is the favorite choice when investing in water technologies, being perceived as the best option for users of treated wastewater and those concerned about water quality standards. Consequently, CWs were recognized as mechanisms to increase water supply and reduce water pollution. Policy-makers and water managers can use these learnings from farmers’ experience to identify the main barriers and benefits of using treated wastewater and CWs to address water scarcity and water pollution risks. Full article
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19 pages, 1709 KiB  
Article
Performance of a Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetland and Medium-Term Effects of Treated Wastewater Irrigation of Arundo donax L. on Soil and Plant Parameters
by Mario Licata, Francesco Rossini, Giuseppe Virga, Roberto Ruggeri, Davide Farruggia and Nicolò Iacuzzi
Water 2021, 13(15), 1994; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w13151994 - 21 Jul 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1977
Abstract
On marginal lands in the Mediterranean basin, giant reed (Arundo donax L.) represents one of the most interesting perennial crops due to high levels of biomass production. Considering periodic water shortage during the summer months in this area, the reuse of treated [...] Read more.
On marginal lands in the Mediterranean basin, giant reed (Arundo donax L.) represents one of the most interesting perennial crops due to high levels of biomass production. Considering periodic water shortage during the summer months in this area, the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) would seem to be a good opportunity for the growth of the species. The aim of this study was to assess the medium-term effects of irrigation using freshwater (FW) and TWW on soil characteristics and growth in giant reed plants. TWW was obtained from a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland system (HSSF CWs) with a total surface area of 100 m2. A split-plot design for a two-factor experiment was used with three replications. Medium-term TWW irrigation increased organic matter and plant nutrients in the soil; however, pH was not affected. Plants irrigated with TWW showed greater growth (+10.49% in height, +12.75% in stem diameter, +11.51% in above-ground biomass) than those irrigated with FW. The higher heating value of crop residues ranged between 16.83 (FW-irrigated plants) and 17.00 MJ kg−1 (TWW-irrigated plants). Results show that HSSF CWs produces TWW, which can be an alternative source of water for growing giant reed with high biomass performance. Full article
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18 pages, 4295 KiB  
Article
Treatment of Combined Dairy and Domestic Wastewater with Constructed Wetland System in Sicily (Italy). Pollutant Removal Efficiency and Effect of Vegetation
by Mario Licata, Roberto Ruggeri, Nicolò Iacuzzi, Giuseppe Virga, Davide Farruggia, Francesco Rossini and Teresa Tuttolomondo
Water 2021, 13(8), 1086; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w13081086 - 15 Apr 2021
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2786
Abstract
Dairy wastewater (DWW) contains large amounts of mineral and organic compounds, which can accumulate in soil and water causing serious environmental pollution. A constructed wetland (CW) is a sustainable technology for the treatment of DWW in small-medium sized farms. This paper reports a [...] Read more.
Dairy wastewater (DWW) contains large amounts of mineral and organic compounds, which can accumulate in soil and water causing serious environmental pollution. A constructed wetland (CW) is a sustainable technology for the treatment of DWW in small-medium sized farms. This paper reports a two-year study on the performance of a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow system for DWW treatment in Sicily (Italy). The CW system covered a total surface area of 100 m2 and treated approximately 6 m3 per day of wastewater produced by a small dairy farm, subsequent to biological treatment. Removal efficiency (RE) of the system was calculated. The biomass production of two emergent macrophytes was determined and the effect of plant growth on organic pollutant RE was recorded. All DWW parameters showed significant differences between inlet and outlet. For BOD5 and COD, RE values were 76.00% and 62.00%, respectively. RE for total nitrogen (50.70%) was lower than that of organic compounds. RE levels of microbiological parameters were found to be higher than 80.00%. Giant reed produced greater biomass than umbrella sedge. A seasonal variation in RE of organic pollutants was recorded due to plant growth rate Our findings highlight the efficient use of a CW system for DWW treatment in dairy-cattle farms. Full article
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12 pages, 1645 KiB  
Article
Digestate Liquid Fraction Treatment with Filters Filled with Recovery Materials
by Ilaria Piccoli, Giuseppe Virga, Carmelo Maucieri and Maurizio Borin
Water 2021, 13(1), 21; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w13010021 - 24 Dec 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2324
Abstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) represent a green technology for digestate liquid fraction (DLF) treatment. However, previous research has warned about their performance when treating wastewater with high suspended solid and organic loads. In addition, the high NH4-N concentration typical of this wastewater [...] Read more.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) represent a green technology for digestate liquid fraction (DLF) treatment. However, previous research has warned about their performance when treating wastewater with high suspended solid and organic loads. In addition, the high NH4-N concentration typical of this wastewater can compromise vegetation establishment and activity. In view of this, a digestate pretreatment is needed. This study aimed to test the performance of filters filled with recovery materials, such as brick and refractory material, for DLF pretreatment. The effect on DLF physical (electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature) and chemical (total nitrogen, ammonia–nitrogen, nitrate–nitrogen, total phosphorus, soluble phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand) characteristics was monitored during eight weekly cycles. The effect of filtration on total nitrogen and ammonia–nitrogen removal began after about one month of loading, suggesting that an activation period is necessary for bacteria. For effective N removal, the presence of multiple digestate recirculations per day through the filters appears mandatory to guarantee the alternation of nitrification and denitrification conditions. For P removal, filling material particle size appeared to be more important than its composition. Unclear performances were observed considering chemical oxygen demand. Further studies on filling media and microbial community interactions, and the long-term efficiency of filters, are desirable. Full article
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