The use of pumice amended with sand media for domestic wastewater treatment in vertical flow constructed wetlands planted with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

The performance efficiency in constructed wetlands (CWs) technology is primarily affected by the media material and the types of plants used. Recently, investigations into the usage of local materials and plants in CWs has increased. Pumice is a material which is potential used as a media. However, research on amendment of pumice with other media in CWs is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the potential of pumice amended with sand media and planted with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) in CWs to remove organic matter, suspended solids, nutrients, and coliform. The adsorbents were characterized using X-ray diffraction, FTIR and XRF followed by adsorption experiments for PO4-P. Furthermore, Six vertical flow (VF) mesocosms with a diameter of 10.2cm and 55cm depth were established over six months. The treatments were based on percentage of sand media amended with pumice and planted with lemongrass. Furthermore, the barren media were applied to investigate the effect of lemongrass. The loading rate of domestic wastewater into the VF mesocosms was 2 L/day while inflows and outflows were determined for nutrients, organic matter, suspended solids and coliform. The adsorption of PO4-P followed the Langmuir model with adsorption capacity was 0.089 and 0.067 mol/g for pumice and sand, respectively. The results also showed that the removal efficiency of TSS, COD, NO3-N, NO2-N, PO4-P and total coliforms were in the range of 93.7-97.3 %, 52-83 %, 63-86 %, 51-74%, 81-88 % and 92-97 %, respectively. Based on the results, the highest removal efficiency was observed in the sand media amended with 50 % pumice and planted with lemongrass, while the lowest was found in the barren sand media.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the potential of using pumice amended sand media and lemongrass in constructed wetlands for efficient removal of organic matter, suspended solids, nutrients, and coliform. Results showed that the combination of 50% pumice amended sand media planted with lemongrass achieved the highest removal efficiency, while barren sand media had the lowest efficiency. Adsorption experiments for PO4-P showed promising results with pumice exhibiting a higher adsorption capacity compared to sand.