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Ja Vymazal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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seasonal growth pattern of Phalaris arundinacea in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow
Ecological Engineering, 2015Co-Authors: Tereza Dvořakova řezinova, Ja VymazalAbstract:Abstract Plants play import role in constructed wetlands (CWs) with horizontal subsurface flow. It has been well documented that planted constructed wetlands are more efficient that filters with vegetation. Also, it has been found that plant species may differ in their effect on wastewater treatment. However, there has been little attention paid to the management of vegetation with the focus on enhanced nutrient removal. During the period April 2012–March 2013 seasonal development of aboveground biomass of Phalaris arundinacea (Reed canarygrass) has been evaluated at two constructed wetlands in the Czech Republic. Both systems were sampled on a monthly basis and triplicate samples were taken in both inflow and outflow zones. It has been found that the aboveground biomass was substantially higher in the inflow zone in both surveyed CWs and this phenomenon was also found in six other CWs where aboveground biomass was sampled during the peak biomass period. Besides that, it has been found that the peak biomass in the outflow zone occurred about two months later than in the inflow zone. This information could be used for biomass harvest management aimed at enhancing nutrient removal. The results of this study revealed that if inflow and outflow zones are harvested separately at different periods of the growing season, the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus removed via harvesting may increase up to 42% and 43%, respectively as compared to a single harvest of the whole surface of the filtration beds.
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evaluation of heavy metals seasonal accumulation in Phalaris arundinacea in a constructed treatment wetland
Ecological Engineering, 2015Co-Authors: Tereza Dvořakova řezinova, Ja VymazalAbstract:Constructed wetland for treatment of municipal wastewater was studied with focus on seasonal dynamics of heavy metals in the aboveground biomass of Phalaris arundinacea. Aboveground biomass was harvested and evaluated in one or two-month intervals during the period May 2011–March 2012 and concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn were determined. Using the heavy metal concentration and biomass values, accumulation as standing stock was calculated for each heavy metal. The results indicated that maximum standing stock values occurred at different time for each heavy metals. The results therefore revealed that it is not easy to set the optimum time for aboveground biomass harvest in order to remove maximum of all heavy metals at one time. However, it seems that the harvest during the early growing season may be the most effective.
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competition of phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow does it affect bod5 cod and tss removal
Ecological Engineering, 2014Co-Authors: Tereza Dvořakova řezinova, Ja VymazalAbstract:Abstract Phalaris arundinacea and Phragmites australis are frequently planted together in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in the Czech Republic. However, it has been observed that Phragmites usually outcompetes Phalaris over time but the speed of this process varies among systems. In this paper we evaluated the process of Phragmites encroachment into Phalaris stands in two constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow. The results revealed that 50% of the area originally planted with Phalaris was overgrown by Phragmites in 5 and 9 years in the monitored systems while the complete elimination of Phalaris occurred after 9 and 13 years. Replacement of Phalaris did not have any effect on removal of BOD5 and COD while removal efficiency of TSS increased after Phalaris was replaced with Phragmites. However, it is difficult to determine out whether replacement was the only reason for better TSS removal.
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nitrogen and phosphorus standing stock in Phalaris arundinacea and phragmites australis in a constructed treatment wetland 3 year study
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 2008Co-Authors: Ja Vymazal, Lenka KropfelovaAbstract:Constructed wetland with sub-surface horizontal flow at Břehov near Ceske Budějovice, Czech Republic is designed to treat sewage from 100 population equivalent. The system was put into operation in late 2003 and it consists of two rectangular beds (28 (L) × 9 (W) m each) planted with Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) and Common reed (Phragmites australis) in bands parallel to the flow. Aboveground biomass of Phalaris and Phragmites was harvested in 2004, 2005 and 2006 during the peak standing crop of both species, i.e. in July for Phalaris and the early September for Phragmites. In 2004 and 2005, also belowground biomass was harvested. The major objective of the study was to evaluate the amount of nutrients sequestered in plant biomass and compare it with inflow loading. The analysis of the biomass indicated that the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in various parts of both species were comparable in all three years. However, due to the higher biomass in 2005 and 2006 the nutrient standing ...
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trace metals in phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea growing in constructed and natural wetlands
Science of The Total Environment, 2007Co-Authors: Ja Vymazal, Lenka Kropfelova, Jaroslav Svehla, Vladislav ChrastnýAbstract:Abstract Constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow (HF CWs) designed for treatment of municipal sewage have been monitored extensively with respect to removal of organics, suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria. However, the information on the removal of various metals and metalloids in these systems is very limited. During the period 2002–2004 aboveground and belowground biomass of Phragmites australis (common reed) and Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) were sampled in three HF CWs in the Czech Republic. Concentrations of monitored elements in both aboveground and belowground plant tissues were similar to those found in plants growing in natural stands. The concentrations were much lower as compared to those found in plants growing in wetlands receiving acid mine drainage waters, waters from smelters or highway runoff. Concentrations decrease in the order of roots > rhizomes > leaves > stems. The leaf:stem concentration ratios were quite similar for all monitored elements ranging between 1.0 and 1.9. The root:leaf concentration ratio varied widely between 1.5 (Cu) and 54 (Cr) with a mean value of 20.0. Belowground/aboveground plant tissue concentration ratios varied from 2.2 (Cu) to 32 (Cr) with the average value of 9.9.
Jane Molofsky - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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leaf litter variation influences invasion dynamics in the invasive wetland grass Phalaris arundinacea
Biological Invasions, 2013Co-Authors: Matthew A Kaproth, Maarte Eppinga, Jane MolofskyAbstract:High litter mass is hypothesized to produce an invader-directed invasion by changing ecosystem properties such as nutrient cycling rates and light availability. An invasive plant species that stimulates litter accumulation may induce a positive feedback when it benefits from high litter conditions. Phalaris arundinacea is an invasive wetland grass that may induce positive litter feedback, as it produces abundant litter that varies in quality due to a wide range of foliar C:N content. In this study we investigated the range of growth responses within native and invasive genotypes of Phalaris that varied in initial foliar C:N levels (high C:N content was present in the invasive genotypes) when grown under varying litter mass. Overwintering with high litter reduced establishing tiller survivorship and the presence of litter delayed tiller emergence by 2 weeks. Overall, genotypes exhibited high trait plasticity in response to litter. Our results indicate that high litter mass can stimulate Phalaris growth, specifically for the genotypes with high initial C:N foliar tissue. Additionally, genotypes with initially high C:N ratios exhibited plastic responses consistent with a Master-of-some strategy indicating that their performance under high litter may depend upon the nutrient conditions under which they are grown. This study provides evidence for conditions that may lead to a positive feedback in Phalaris’ introduced range. Future studies should investigate how changing litter quantity alters nutrient cycling and competitor growth.
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genetic variation in photosynthetic characteristics among invasive and native populations of reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea
Biological Invasions, 2008Co-Authors: Craig R Oderse, Sebastie Lavergne, Jane MolofskyAbstract:With the extensive spread of invasive species throughout North America and Europe there is an urgent need to better understand the morphological and physiological characteristics of successful invasive plants and the evolutionary mechanisms that allow introduced species to become invasive. Most ecological studies have focused on morphological differences and changes in community dynamics, and physiological studies have typically explored the differences between native and invasive species. In this study, 15 different genotypes of Phalaris arundinacea from both its native (European) and invasive (North American) range were grown in a common garden experiment to monitor the physiological differences between native and invasive genotypes. Here we present data that suggests high variability exists in the physiological traits among genotypes of P. arundinacea, yet genotypes from the native range are not necessarily physiologically inferior to the hybridized invasive genotypes. Previous work has shown that multiple introductions of P. arundinacea from various European locations to the United States resulted in numerous hybridization events, yielding more genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity in the invasive range. Of the genotypes studied, both morphological and physiological traits of genotypes with French origin were significantly different from the plants from the Czech Republic, North Carolina, and Vermont. The lack of clear differences between native and invasive genotypes indicates that physiological traits may be highly conserved in P. arundinacea and enhanced photosynthetic rates are not indicative of successful invasive genotypes. Instead, morphological traits and defensive secondary compound metabolism may play a more important role in the success of P. arundinacea within its invasive range, and patterns of genetic variation in physiological traits between invasive and native range may be more important than the mean traits of each region when explaining reed canarygrass’ invasive potential in North America.
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control strategies for the invasive reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea l in north american wetlands the need for an integrated management plan
Natural Areas Journal, 2006Co-Authors: Sebastie Lavergne, Jane MolofskyAbstract:Abstract Phalaris arundinacea L. (reed canarygrass) is one of the most noxious invasive species in North American wetlands, rivers, and lakes. As is true for many invasive species, detailed research may give insights into the ecological and evolutionary factors that promote reed canarygrass invasion. However, important insights into control strategies of reed canarygrass may be gleaned from a synthesis of all the relevant ecological and management studies. We assessed the control strategies previously applied to contain reed canarygrass invasions, the potential for new promising strategies, and the research that is still needed to improve its control in North America. We showed that no one method is sufficient, and that the most successful strategies require both physical and chemical methods, coupled with hydrological management. Moreover, subsequent restoration of the community structure and composition is needed to limit new infestations of reed canarygrass or other invaders. Biological control has not...
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reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea as a biological model in the study of plant invasions
Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 2004Co-Authors: Sebastie Lavergne, Jane MolofskyAbstract:Invasive species pose a serious threat to native plant communities and are an important contributor to loss of biodiversity. In the case of Phalaris arundinacea, L. (Poaceae), reed canary grass, a cool-season, long-lived perennial plant native to Eurasia and North America, nonnative agronomically important genotypes were introduced to North America for numerous uses such as forage and soil stabilization. Following repeated introductions, reed canary grass became an aggressive invader that takes over natural wet prairies, stream-banks and wetlands. Reed canary grass can outcompete native plant species, resulting in monospecific stands with concomitant loss of plant and insect diversity and ultimately to alteration in ecosystem function. Abiotic factors such as disturbance, changes in hydrological regime, and particularly nutrient runoff to wetlands can enhance reed canary grass establishment and vegetative spread. In addition, the species' capacity for early season growth, rapid vegetative spread, high ste...
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genetic and environmental controls on the establishment of the invasive grass Phalaris arundinacea
Biological Invasions, 1999Co-Authors: Jane Molofsky, Shannon L Morrison, Charles J GoodnightAbstract:Whether an exotic species becomes integrated into a community or aggressively takes it over depends upon many interacting factors. Using contextual analyses, we combined genetic data about an invasive plant with information about the neighboring species, the community, and the environment to determine what factors enable a genotype or species to invade. We transplanted 50 individuals of each of three clones of the invasive grass Phalaris arundinacea, reed canary grass, into 150 random locations within a Vermont pasture. For each individual, we recorded clonal identity, neighbor identity, community indices (species richness and species diversity), and an environmental variable (soil moisture). The response variables were survivorship, above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass and the ratio of above- to below-ground biomass. Clonal identity affected both survivorship and below-ground biomass. The fastest tillering clone had poor survivorship but survivors produced a large amount of below-ground biomass, making this clone more likely to successfully overwinter. Neighbor species affected above- and below-ground biomass. Reed canary grass produced more above- and below-ground biomass when Anthoxanthum odoratum, a common pasture grass species, was abundant. Community attributes also influenced growth. Although we expected diverse plots to repel the invasion, plants in the more diverse plots had higher amounts of below-ground biomass. Finally, environmental effects also influenced growth. Reed canary grass produced more above-ground biomass in wetter plots, confirming that it does well under wet conditions.
Joy Zedle - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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set backs in replacing Phalaris arundinacea monotypes with sedge meadow vegetation
Restoration Ecology, 2010Co-Authors: Michael T Healy, Joy ZedleAbstract:Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) invades wetlands, forms monotypes, and resists control efforts, suggesting that strong feedbacks sustain its dominance, as in the alternative states model. In nine field experiments, we tested the hypothesis that applying a graminicide (sethoxydim) for three years would progressively reduce Phalaris abundance, and that seeding sedge meadow species (except grasses) would reestablish native plant dominance. The graminicide prevented Phalaris from flowering, reduced its height by 50% and reduced its cover, often to less than 40%. However, only two of the nine sites showed progressive declines over the three-year experiment. The first setback was that Phalaris recovered annually in nearly all treatment plots. A second setback was that seeding did not reestablish sedge meadow. In five sites, unseeded plots had similar numbers of native species as those seeded with either forbs, forbs and graminoids, or graminoids. In four formerly agricultural sites, however, non-native weeds increased in species richness and cover (a third setback). In only one site did the graminicide’s effect on Phalaris allow native species to increase in number and cover. But short-term gains were not long-lasting. In year four, three sites that developed high native-species cover were again strongly dominated by Phalaris (a fourth setback). The feedbacks that sustain this invader include resistance to the graminicide aboveground and rapid and robust regrowth from rhizomes and seeds belowground. The weak effect of this graminicide was a surprise; hence, we recommend stronger management actions to control Phalaris.
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restoring native vegetation to an urban wet meadow dominated by reed canarygrass Phalaris arundinacea l in wisconsin
Natural Areas Journal, 2007Co-Authors: Julia C Wilco, Michael T Healy, Joy ZedleAbstract:Abstract The perennial grass Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) is a widespread invader of North American wetlands. We asked if the use of herbicide with burning, clipping, or seeding could reduce the cover of P. arundinacea and increase cover of native species in a wet prairie that receives stormwater runoff. Two glyphosate treatments decreased P. arundinacea cover, and spring seeding of 33 native species doubled species richness and floristic quality compared to no seeding. Despite an initial decrease in abundance, P. arundinacea cover was no different than control plots two years after seeding and overall native species richness and cover decreased from the previous year. Application of the grass-specific herbicide sethoxydim in the third year of the study reduced P. arundinacea cover and height while allowing native forbs and graminoids to persist. Most of the 75 species identified during the study were perennial, native forbs, and most of the sown species that commonly established in the field h...
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understanding invasion as a process the case of Phalaris arundinacea in wet prairies
Biological Invasions, 2007Co-Authors: Suzanne M Kerche, Andrea Herrturoff, Joy ZedleAbstract:Invasive plants that most threaten biodiversity are those that rapidly form a monospecific stand, like the clonal grass, Phalaris arundinacea. Understanding complex and potentially interacting factors that are common in urban and agricultural landscapes and underlie rapid invasions requires an experimental, factorial approach. We tested the effects of flooding and nutrient and sediment additions (3 × 3 × 3 = 27 treatments, plus a control with no additions) on invasion of Phalaris into mesocosms containing wet prairie vegetation. We discovered a three-step invasion and degradation process: (1) initially, resident native species declined with prolonged flooding and sediment additions, and (2) prolonged flooding, sedimentation, and nutrients accelerated Phalaris aboveground growth; biomass rose to 430 times that of the control within just two growing seasons. The dramatic expansion of Phalaris in the second year resulted in the formation of monospecific stands in over one-third of the treatments, as (3) native species continued their decline in year 2. Disturbances acted alone and in combination to make the resident wetland community more invasible and Phalaris more aggressive, leading to monospecific stands. Yet, Phalaris did not always “win”: under the least disturbed conditions, the resident plant canopy remained dense and vigorous and Phalaris remained small. When anthropogenic disturbances coincide with increases in the gross supply of resources, more tolerant, fast-growing, and morphologically plastic plants like Phalaris can invade very rapidly. The fluctuating resource hypothesis should thus be refined to consider the role of interacting disturbances in facilitating invasions.
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does morphological plasticity of the Phalaris arundinacea canopy increase invasiveness
Plant Ecology, 2007Co-Authors: Andrea Herrturoff, Joy ZedleAbstract:Morphological plasticity could facilitate invasions of wetland plants into areas that experience increased durations of flooding and eutrophication. We explored canopy plasticity of Phalaris arundinacea, an aggressive invader of wetlands, as it differentially invaded wet prairie mesocosms under 3 flooding durations and 3 levels of nutrient addition. Phalaris grew as a sward with intermittent and early-season flooding but shifted to tussocks under constant flooding. These two growth forms differed by >20% in several canopy ratios. Clones that formed tussocks produced 45% more shoots per unit biomass (P = 0.007) and a 25% higher ratio of total shoot length to biomass (P = 0.04). Lighter-weight shoots supported 33% fewer leaves and, consequently, had 35% less leaf area per shoot height (P < 0.002). Tussocks developed a continuous mat of adventitious roots, with root mats reaching 20.9 ± 0.6 cm in diameter and 4.7 ± 0.3 cm in height over two growing seasons. While forming tussocks, Phalaris tolerated longer durations of flooding and more than doubled its aboveground biomass. Invasions occurred rapidly, with Phalaris exceeding 75% canopy cover and accounting for 66% of the total aboveground biomass under constant flooding. Early-season flooding increased the lateral spread of individual shoots. High nutrient addition produced shoots that were 27% taller and 50% heavier (P < 0.02), with 81% more leaf area (P < 0.0003) than shoots that received no nutrients. Consequently, under early-season flooding with high nutrient additions, Phalaris was primed to invade, nearly doubling its proportion of the total aboveground biomass and exceeding 50% canopy cover during year two.
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multiple disturbances accelerate invasion of reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea l in a mesocosm study
Oecologia, 2004Co-Authors: Suzanne M Kerche, Joy ZedleAbstract:Disturbances that intensify with agriculture and/or urban development are thought to promote the spread of invasive plants, such as the clonal perennial reed canary grass ( Phalaris arundinacea L). To test this relationship and interactions among disturbances, we subjected wet prairie assemblages within 1.1 m2 mesocosms to invasion by Phalaris and addition of nutrients, sediments, and flooding. Species richness decreased with the application of sediments and/or flooding of 4 consecutive weeks or longer. Losses of up to six dominant and subdominant species in these treatments increased light transmission through the plant canopy by as much as 400% over the control. Light availability in July and September was a strong predictor of end-of-season aboveground biomass of Phalaris. Phalaris was also 35% and 195% more productive when nutrients were added at low and high levels, respectively. Multiple factors in combination were usually additive in their effects on invasion, but sediments and nutrients interacted with flood regime to synergistically increase invasion in some cases. A separate experiment likewise revealed a synergistic interaction between added nutrients and simulated grazing. We suggest that multiple factors be mitigated simultaneously to reduce invasion of Phalaris.
Tereza Dvořakova řezinova - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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seasonal growth pattern of Phalaris arundinacea in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow
Ecological Engineering, 2015Co-Authors: Tereza Dvořakova řezinova, Ja VymazalAbstract:Abstract Plants play import role in constructed wetlands (CWs) with horizontal subsurface flow. It has been well documented that planted constructed wetlands are more efficient that filters with vegetation. Also, it has been found that plant species may differ in their effect on wastewater treatment. However, there has been little attention paid to the management of vegetation with the focus on enhanced nutrient removal. During the period April 2012–March 2013 seasonal development of aboveground biomass of Phalaris arundinacea (Reed canarygrass) has been evaluated at two constructed wetlands in the Czech Republic. Both systems were sampled on a monthly basis and triplicate samples were taken in both inflow and outflow zones. It has been found that the aboveground biomass was substantially higher in the inflow zone in both surveyed CWs and this phenomenon was also found in six other CWs where aboveground biomass was sampled during the peak biomass period. Besides that, it has been found that the peak biomass in the outflow zone occurred about two months later than in the inflow zone. This information could be used for biomass harvest management aimed at enhancing nutrient removal. The results of this study revealed that if inflow and outflow zones are harvested separately at different periods of the growing season, the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus removed via harvesting may increase up to 42% and 43%, respectively as compared to a single harvest of the whole surface of the filtration beds.
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evaluation of heavy metals seasonal accumulation in Phalaris arundinacea in a constructed treatment wetland
Ecological Engineering, 2015Co-Authors: Tereza Dvořakova řezinova, Ja VymazalAbstract:Constructed wetland for treatment of municipal wastewater was studied with focus on seasonal dynamics of heavy metals in the aboveground biomass of Phalaris arundinacea. Aboveground biomass was harvested and evaluated in one or two-month intervals during the period May 2011–March 2012 and concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn were determined. Using the heavy metal concentration and biomass values, accumulation as standing stock was calculated for each heavy metal. The results indicated that maximum standing stock values occurred at different time for each heavy metals. The results therefore revealed that it is not easy to set the optimum time for aboveground biomass harvest in order to remove maximum of all heavy metals at one time. However, it seems that the harvest during the early growing season may be the most effective.
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competition of phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow does it affect bod5 cod and tss removal
Ecological Engineering, 2014Co-Authors: Tereza Dvořakova řezinova, Ja VymazalAbstract:Abstract Phalaris arundinacea and Phragmites australis are frequently planted together in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in the Czech Republic. However, it has been observed that Phragmites usually outcompetes Phalaris over time but the speed of this process varies among systems. In this paper we evaluated the process of Phragmites encroachment into Phalaris stands in two constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow. The results revealed that 50% of the area originally planted with Phalaris was overgrown by Phragmites in 5 and 9 years in the monitored systems while the complete elimination of Phalaris occurred after 9 and 13 years. Replacement of Phalaris did not have any effect on removal of BOD5 and COD while removal efficiency of TSS increased after Phalaris was replaced with Phragmites. However, it is difficult to determine out whether replacement was the only reason for better TSS removal.
Michel Mench - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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copper removal from water using a bio rack system either unplanted or planted with phragmites australis juncus articulatus and Phalaris arundinacea
Ecological Engineering, 2014Co-Authors: Lilian Marchand, Florien Nsanganwimana, Nadege Oustriere, Zhanna Grebenshchykova, Katherine Lizamaallende, Michel MenchAbstract:Abstract A bio-rack system was developed for treating Cu-contaminated freshwaters. Each pilot constructed wetland (CW, 110 dm3) contained 15 perforated vertical pipes filled with a mixture of gravel (diorite; 80%) and perlite (20%) and assembled as a rack. The whole experimental device consisted of 12 CW planted either with Phragmites australis, Phalaris arundinacea or Juncus articulatus, and unplanted as control (in triplicates). All plants were sampled at a Cu-contaminated site. The CWs were filled with a mix of freshwater (30%) from the Jalle d’Eysines River (Bordeaux, France) and tap water (70%). Water was spiked with Cu (2.5 μM, 158.5 μg L−1). Three CW batches were carried out, i.e. in early spring (March, S#1), beginning of the growing season (May, S#2), and peak growing season (June, S#3). The S#3 water was initially acidified to pH 6. For all batches, water was recirculated in the CW during 14 days. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential, BOD5 and Cu2+ concentrations) were measured every three days. Water pH of both S#1 and #2 ranged between 7.8 and 8.5 for all treatments during the experiment. Initial and final total Cu concentrations were analysed for all CWs and batches. Relative Treatment Efficiency Index (RTEI) indicated the plant effect compared to the unplanted CW. Free Cu2+ removal was
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Copper removal from water using a bio-rack system either unplanted or planted with Phragmites australis, Juncus articulatus and Phalaris arundinacea
Ecological Engineering, 2014Co-Authors: Lilian Marchand, Florien Nsanganwimana, Nadege Oustriere, Zhanna Grebenshchykova, Katherine Lizama-allende, Michel MenchAbstract:A bio-rack system was developed for treating Cu-contaminated freshwaters. Each pilot constructed wetland (CW, 110 dm3) contained 15 perforated vertical pipes filled with a mixture of gravel (diorite; 80%) and perlite (20%) and assembled as a rack. The whole experimental device consisted of 12 CW planted either with Phragmites australis, Phalaris arundinacea or Juncus articulatus, and unplanted as control (in triplicates). All plants were sampled at a Cu-contaminated site. The CWs were filled with a mix of freshwater (30%) from the Jalle d’Eysines River (Bordeaux, France) and tap water (70%). Water was spiked with Cu (2.5 μM, 158.5 μg L−1). Three CW batches were carried out, i.e. in early spring (March, S#1), beginning of the growing season (May, S#2), and peak growing season (June, S#3). The S#3 water was initially acidified to pH 6. For all batches, water was recirculated in the CW during 14 days. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, redox potential, BOD5 and Cu2+ concentrations) were measured every three days. Water pH of both S#1 and #2 ranged between 7.8 and 8.5 for all treatments during the experiment. Initial and final total Cu concentrations were analysed for all CWs and batches. Relative Treatment Efficiency Index (RTEI) indicated the plant effect compared to the unplanted CW. Free Cu2+ removal was