title: Constructed wetlands for the removal of metals from livestock wastewater - Can the presence of veterinary antibiotics affect removals?
abstract: The presence of emergent antibiotics, in livestock wastewater may affect constructed wetlands (CWs) performance in the removal of other pollutants. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two antibiotics commonly used in livestock industry, enrofloxacin and ceftiofur, on metal removal by CWs. Microcosms (0.4m×0.3m×0.3m), simulating CWs, were constructed with Phragmites australis to treat livestock wastewater spiked or not with 100µg/L of enrofloxacin or ceftiofur (individually or in mixture). Wastewater was treated during 20 one-week cycles. After one-week cycle wastewater was removed and replaced by new wastewater (with or without spiking). At weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 14, 18 and 20, treated wastewater was analysed to determine the removal rates of metals (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) and of each antibiotic. At weeks 1, 8 and 20 portions of the plant root substrate were collected and metals determined. At the end of the experiment metal levels were also determined in plant tissues. Removal rate of Fe from wastewater was 99%. Removal rates of Cu and Zn were higher than 85% and 89%, respectively, whereas for Mn removal rates up to 75% were obtained. In general, no significant differences were observed through time in the removals of the different metals, indicating that the systems maintained their functionality during the experimental period. Antibiotics did not interfere with the system depuration capacity, in terms of metals removals from wastewater, and ceftiofur even promoted metal uptake by P. australis. Therefore, CWs seem to be a valuable alternative to remove pollutants, including antibiotics and metals, from livestock wastewaters, reducing the risk the release of these wastewaters might pose into the environment, although more research should be conducted with other antibiotics in CWs.
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR / CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal. Electronic address: calmeida@ciimar.up.pt.
authors.forename: C Marisa R
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR / CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
authors.forename: Filipa
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: CIIMAR/CIMAR e Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: A Catarina F
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: CIIMAR/CIMAR e Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carlos Rocha
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: CIIMAR/CIMAR e Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: M Clara P
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Basto
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIIMAR / CIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mucha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000032:analysis; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000032:analysis; D058751:Livestock; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D006109:Poaceae / Q000378:metabolism; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D019155:Veterinary Drugs; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C053503:ceftiofur
keywords: Enrofloxacin; Green technology; Remediation; Wastewaters