A review on the removal of heavy metals and metalloids by constructed wetlands: bibliometric, removal pathways, and key factors

• Published in: World journal of microbiology & biotechnology Vol. 37; no. 9; p. 157
• Main Authors: Yu, Guanlong, Li, Peiyuan, Wang, Guoliang, Wang, Jianwu, Zhang, Yameng, Wang, Shitao, Yang, Kai, Du, Chunyan, Chen, Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied Microbiology; Aqueous environments; Artificial wetlands; Bibliometrics; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Chemical oxygen demand; Chemical precipitation; Dissolved oxygen; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Pollutants - chemistry; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - instrumentation; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - trends; Heavy metals; Ion exchange; Life Sciences; Metalloids; Metalloids - chemistry; Metals, Heavy - chemistry; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Pollutants; Review; Reviews; Toxicity; Wetlands; Key factors; Removal pathways; Heavy metals and metalloids; Constructed wetlands
• ISSN: 0959-3993; 1573-0972
• DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03123-1

Heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs) pose a serious threat to both environmental and human health. The unique characteristics and environmental toxicity of HMMs make their removal from the environment a major challenge. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are increasingly being used as an eco-friendly system for the removal of HMMs from aqueous environments. In this review, bibliometric analysis was performed using the Scopus database using VOSviewer software to assess the developing use of CWs in recent years. Heavy metal and metalloid (HMM) removal pathways were reviewed (such as precipitation, co-precipitation, adsorption and ion exchange, plant action and microbial action) along with the impact of key factors (pH, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, HMM concentration, and temperature). This review aimed to establish the connections between published results, to help effectively optimize the use of CWs for the removal of HMMs and identify the most critical factors for their effective removal. Important aspects that require further research include assessing the synergistic toxicity between different pollutants and combining the use of CWs with other technologies to optimize pollutant remediation efficiency. Graphic abstract