Abstract

CERVANTES, Stephanie Paola; LONDONO, Yudy Andrea; ROA GUTIERREZ, Floria  and  PENUELA, Gustavo A.. Evaluation of the removal of different concentrations of ibuprofen in subsurface flow constructed wetlands planted with the Cyperus papyrus. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.5, pp.105-116.  Epub July 30, 2021. ISSN 2007-2422.  https://doi.org/10.24850/j-tyca-2017-05-07.

This study evaluated the use of a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland to remove ibuprofen from synthetic water. Three wetlands were used: Two of which were planted with Cyperus papyrus and the other was not planted. They were stabilized for one month, after which three concentrations of ibuprofen were added to the wetlands’ influents. Liquid chromatography¾mass spectrometry (LC-MC) was used to determine the concentration of ibuprofen in the wetlands, as well as dissolved organic carbon, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, pH, and electrical conductivity in both the influents and effluents. A heterotrophic count of the gravel in the three wetlands was also performed. The planted wetlands were found to have higher ibuprofen removal percentages than the unplanted wetland, with a maximum of 84% in the planted wetlands and 51% in the unplanted wetland. In addition, lower removal percentages were observed when the concentrations of ibuprofen were greater.

Keywords : Biodegradation; ibuprofen; horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland; emerging contaminants; removal.