Application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for pharmaceuticals and personal care productions removal in constructed wetlands with different substrate

This study investigated the effects of substrates (sand, perlite, vermiculite, and biochar) on the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the roots of Glyceria maxima in constructed wetlands (CWs) and the impacts of AMF inoculation on the removal of six selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Results showed that the application of adsorptive substrates (perlite, vermiculite, and biochar) in CWs had positive effects on AMF colonization. AMF could influence the uptake and translocation of PPCPs in plant tissues. The amount of PPCPs in the roots of inoculated plants was increased by 21-193% and 67-196% in sand and vermiculite systems but decreased by 13-55% and 51-100% in perlite and biochar systems, respectively, compared to the non-inoculated controls. Meanwhile, AMF enhanced the translocation of PPCPs to plant shoots, resulting in higher accumulations of PPCPs in the shoots of inoculated plants than that of non-inoculated plants. AMF had positive effects on removing PPCPs in sand systems but insignificant effects in adsorptive substrate systems. Therefore, these results indicated that the symbiotic relationship between AMF and plant roots could affect the accumulation and translocation of PPCPs in plants, and substrate type can influence this function. This study could be a starting point for exploring the potential role of AMF in PPCPs removal in CWs.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of substrates on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonization and the impacts of AMF inoculation on the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Results showed that using adsorptive substrates in constructed wetlands can enhance AMF colonization. AMF can influence the uptake and translocation of PPCPs in plant tissues.