Wei , T. and López-Sepúlveda, M. and Blázquez-Hernández, S. and Peñacoba, L. and Zhao, Y. and Esteve-Núñez, A. (2025) Modular bioelectrochemical wetland: A demonstration study for treating urban wastewater. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 70. ISSN 22147144
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Abstract
he integration of microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) into treatment wetland (TW) led to a new generation of nature-based solution so-called METland®. In this context, METland® concept was further expanded to modular METland® while a comprehensive evaluation of a demo scale is reported for the treatment of real domestic wastewater. The overall treatment system included the following METland biofilter configurations: i) a horizontal flow modular unit, ii) a downflow unit made of EC coke, and iii) a downflow unit made of EC biochar. This hybrid treatment system aims to enhance pollutant removal efficiency through MET, leveraging the conductive properties of substrates to optimize microbial metabolic processes. The system exhibited high COD removal efficiency (>90 %) regardless of high feeding rate (ca. 0.5m3/m2day) and significant nitrogen removal, with the EC biochar-based biofilter (ECBB) unit showing high ammonia removal efficiency (90 %). Standard treatment wetlands do not incorporate tools for monitoring the in situ performance of the systems. However, the electrochemical nature of the METland® allows continuous monitoring by measuring electrochemical parameters. In this context, electric potential (EP) measurements revealed spatial variations in electron utilization within the wetland, correlating with pollutant degradation. The electron current density (J = 43.99 mA/m2) within the system decreased along the flow path, indicating a consistent electrochemical activity aligned with the treatment process. High correlations between J values and COD concentrations suggest the potential use of electrochemical indicators as proxies for pollutant levels in wastewater treatment. This study gives insights into the electrochemical behavior of the system to provide a foundation for future optimization.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Subjects: | T Technology > TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering |
| Depositing User: | Belén Barroeta |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Feb 2025 11:28 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Feb 2025 09:09 |
| URI: | http://eprints.imdea-agua.org:13000/id/eprint/1711 |
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