Innovative Juncus effusus plant biofilter for enhanced ammonia removal: design, construction, and preliminary testing

Authors

  • Tinashe Munhemba Department of Civil Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering Group, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
  • Isobel C Brink Department of Civil Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering Group, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
  • Thomas E Cloete School for Climate Studies, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa
  • Adele Bosman Department of Civil Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering Group, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7375-6130

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/wsa/2024.v50.i4.4092

Keywords:

Juncus effusus, plug compartment, rhizosphere, prototype, ammonia

Abstract

A developing trend in stormwater treatment and management is the use of green technologies. Plant biofilters have been gaining increasing use in support of green technology objectives. This technical note reports on the development and preliminary testing of a laboratory-scale plant biofilter prototype for ammonia removal using a South African native plant species (Juncus effusus).  The prototype design was based on a conceptual model for nitrogen fixation, plant uptake, bacterial nitrification and soil sorption. Additionally, a plug compartment was incorporated into the design to simulate plug flow as part of the conceptual model. Biofilter models with and without inoculated bacteria were compared. Ammonia reduction, nitrite and nitrate formation were observed. Results showed that the inoculated plant biofilter performed best, with an average of 61% reduction in ammonia within the filter compared to 15% in the normal plant biofilter. The incorporation of a plug compartment aided in slowing down the ammonia infiltration rate, increasing the retention time, and allowing for nitrification to occur.

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Published

2024-10-30

Issue

Section

Technical note

How to Cite

Tinashe Munhemba (2024) “Innovative Juncus effusus plant biofilter for enhanced ammonia removal: design, construction, and preliminary testing”, Water SA, 50(4 Oct). doi:10.17159/wsa/2024.v50.i4.4092.