Removal and monitoring acetaminophen-contaminated hospital wastewater by vertical flow constructed wetland and peroxidase enzymes

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 250; p. 109526
• Main Authors: Vo, Hoang Nhat Phong, Koottatep, Thammarat, Chapagain, Saroj Kumar, Panuvatvanich, Atitaya, Polprasert, Chongrak, Nguyen, Thi Minh Hong, Chaiwong, Chawalit, Nguyen, Ngoc Luong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.11.2019
• Subjects: Acetaminophen; Constructed wetland; Hospital wastewater; Micro-pollutant; Nutrient; Peroxidase enzyme; Nutrient; Hospital wastewater; Acetaminophen; Constructed wetland; Micro-pollutant; Peroxidase enzyme
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109526

Hospital wastewater contains acetaminophen (ACT) and nutrient, which need adequate removal and monitoring to prevent impact to environment and community. This study developed a pilot scale vertical flow constructed wetland (CW) to (1) remove high-dose ACT and pollutants in hospital wastewater and (2) identify the correlation of peroxidase enzyme extruded by Scirpus validus and pollutants removal efficiency. By that correlation, a low-cost method to monitor pollutants removal was drawn. Plants, such as Scirpus validus, generated peroxidase enzymes to alleviate pollutants’ stress. Results showed that the CW removed 3.5 to 6 logs of initial concentration 10 mg ACT/L to a recommended level for drinking water. The CW eliminated COD, TKN and TP efficiently, meeting the wastewater discharged standards of Thailand and Vietnam. By various multivariable regression models, concentrations of ACT in CW effluent and enzymes in S. validus exhibited a significant correlation (p < 0.01, R2 = 68.3%). These findings suggested that (i) vertical flow CW could remove high-dose ACT and nutrient and (ii) peroxidase enzymes generated in S. validus, such as soluble and covalent ones, could track ACT removal efficiency. This would help to reduce facilities and analytical cost of micro-pollutants. [Display omitted] •CW removed 3.5 to 6 log ACT of initial concentration 10 mg/L.•ACT concentration in CW effluent was safe for drinking water.•Peroxidase enzymes could monitor ACT removal efficiency via first order equation.