A doctoral thesis proves the efficiency of vegetation filters to attenuate contaminants of emerging concern and transformation products
The doctoral thesis, defended by Blanca Huidobro López on October 16, aimed to increase the efficiency of a pilot vegetation filter in improving the quality of leached water by maximizing the removal of organic matter, nutrients, and contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). The work has been directed at IMDEA Agua by Irene de Bustamante and Leonor Nozal.
The thesis, accomplished within the framework of the FILVER+ project, aimed to increase the efficiency of a pilot vegetation filter in improving the quality of leached water, maximizing the removal of organic matter, nutrients, and CEC through the addition of amendments, and bringing it closer to the concept of intensive technology by reducing the surface. Furthermore, the impact on the underlying aquifer has been evaluated during the four years of the experiment without observing any negative effect of the operation on the vegetation filter.
The study reflects the adequate capacity of this technology to attenuate CEC and their transformation products. The results are promising since vegetation filters are nature-based solutions that present great environmental and economic advantages very useful for small and isolated populations without sanitation networks. In the context of the proposed reduction, the minimum population for which the application of the urban wastewater treatment regulation is necessary is reduced from 2 000 to 1 000 equivalent inhabitants.
Attenuation of contaminants of emerging concern in vegetation filters. Identification of transformation products
Directors: Irene de Bustamante and Leonor Nozal
Program: Hydrology and Water Resources Management
Date of defense: 10/16/2023
