Resumen

MAINE, María Alejandra et al. Constructed Wetlands to Treat Effluents from Metallurgy Industries in Santa Fe, Argentina. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.1, pp.5-16. ISSN 2007-2422.

The use of constructed wetlands in Argentina to treat effluents is still limited, even though ideal conditions exist for their implementation (large availability of low-cost marginal land, temperate climate with mild winters and large availability of macrophytes that are adapted to the climate). The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of two constructed wetlands (CW1 and CW2) to treat effluents from metallurgy industries and determine whether the sediments or plants retain the pollutants. This knowledge is key to correctly managing the wetland. Both wetlands treated sewage along with industrial waste containing metals. Since the volumes to be treated and the chemical composition of the effluents were different, the constructed wetlands presented distinct design characteristics. CW1 has been in operation for 12 years and CW2 for 5 years. Both function efficiently, with satisfactory removal efficiencies for SRP, total phosphorus, nitrogen species, COD, BOD, sulfate and metals. Typha domingensis (cattail), the dominant species in both cases, had a high capacity to retain metals, especially by its root zone, which demonstrates its phytostabilization capacity. The concentration of metals and phosphorus increased in the sediment in the inlet area, in chemically stable fractions which are not released into the water if the environmental conditions are maintained. Typha domingensis detritus accumulated high concentrations of metals and can be easily removed for final disposal.

Palabras llave : Effluents; depuration; metals; sediment; macrophytes; wetlands; Argentina.

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