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STUDY ON THE APPLICATION OF FLOATING BEDS OF MACROPHITES (VETIVERIA ZIZANIOIDES AND PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS) IN PILOT SCALE FOR THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM AGUA FORTE STREAM (ALENTEJO-PORTUGAL)
Borralho, T., D. Gago, and A. Almeida.
Journal of Ecological Engineering 21(3):153-163(2020)

A six-month study tested the efficiency of a macrophyte floating bed technology (using Vetiveria zizanioides or Phragmites australis) to remove heavy metals fromstream water. Experiments were performed in polyvinyl chloride tanks, each with 1 m3 nominal capacity, filled with ~0.8 m3 of water from the stream that was renewed monthly. The floating beds consisted of a high-density polyethylene floating system and an organic plant support mat filled with a plant density of 285 plants/m2. The heavy metal removal rates obtained were Fe = 40%; Zn = 33%; Cu = 23%; and Mn = 14% (Vetiveria zizanioides) and Fe = 27%; Zn = 19%; Mn = 17%; and Cu = 14% (Phragmites australis). The growth of macrophytes showed the ability to survive in the acid mine drainage-containing waters without severe damage in their external and anatomical morphology, although their growth suffered inhibition. http://www.jeeng.net/pdf-118285-48122?filename=Study%20on%20the%20Application.pdf



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