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Microorganisms and Higher Plants for Waste Water Treatment¹

ABSTRACT

Batch experiments were conducted to compare the waste water treatment efficiencies of plant-free microbial filters with filters supporting the growth of reeds (Phragmites communis), cattail (Typha latifolia), rush (Juncus effusus), and bamboo (Bambusa multiplex). The experimental systems consisted of two components in series. The first component was an anaerobic settling-digestion container. The second was a "nonaerated" trough filled with rocks, decreasing from large rocks (up to 7.5-cm diam) at the bottom, to pea gravel (0.25- to 1.3-cm diam) at the top. The plant-free microbial filter was equally effective in carbonaceous BOD₅ (5-d biochemical O₂ demand) removal. The vascular aquatic plant series enhanced ammonia removal, and consequently improved nitrogenous BOD₅ removal. Under the conditions of these experiments, raw sewage with initial BOD₅'s of 100 mg/L can be upgraded to meet secondary standards with 6 h in component 1, and 6 h in a plant-free filter or filter using cattail, rush, or reed. When initial BOD₅'s are approximately 450 mg/L, 24 h in component 1, 29 h in a reed filter are required to meet secondary standards. Total N removal studies were conducted, which demonstrated that a reed system is capable of removing NO₃-N and NH₃-N simultaneously, probably through a common NO₂-N intermediary, then to N₂. Overall, the reed system was superior to all others evaluated in this research project.

Key Words: microbial filter • Phragmites communis • Typha latifolla • Juncus effusus • Bambusa multiplex • domestic waste water

¹ Research results obtained through a joint agreement between the National Aeronautics & Space Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the EPA/NASA Sub-Agreement EPA 80-D-X0740 at the National Space Technology Laboratories (NSTL), NSTL Station, MS 39529.

² Senior Res. Scientist, NASA/NSTL; Res. Chemist, NASA/NSTL; and Res. Aquatic Biologist, USEPA/Robert S. Kerr Environ. Res. Lab., respectively.

Received for publication March 29, 1982.

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