Performance evaluation of a lab-scale subsurface flow-constructed wetland system for textile industry wastewater treatment

This study compares biochar (BCW) systems' pollutant removal effectiveness to conventional subsurface flow (CCW) in constructed wetland systems to treat textile wastewater. The two systems were identical in construction, but the biochar was 0.1 m thick over gravel and sand (maximum flow rate of 0.021 m(3) h(-1)) as the primary medium over CCW (flow rate of 0.02 m(3) h(-1)). The results revealed that the BCW approach was more efficient than the CCW system (pebble over sand and gravels) in removing and lowering heavy metals below thresh hold limits such as Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn. The alkaline nature of textile water achieves neutrality in both CCW and BCW. However, BCW is more efficient due to a larger active surface area and the ability to filter out more metal and organic ions. TDS reduction efficiency in BCW was 53.07%, compared to 40.04% in CCW. Heavy metal removal was 100% in BCW at 3 to 12 h, whereas it takes 6 to 24 h in CCW (82% for Cr to 93% for Cu). The quick removal of Na from textile wastewater by BCW was reversed and achieved equilibrium in 24 h in contrast to the CCW system (> 24 h). The findings obtained at the lab scale level demonstrated that the BCW system was more effective in reducing TDS, neutralizing the alkalinity of textile wastewater, and removing heavy metals. This study strongly supports the potential application of biochar-constructed wetlands for textile wastewater treatment.