Organic Compounds and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Behavior in Greywater Treated by a Constructed Wetland

Naomi Monsalves, Ana María Leiva, Gloria Gómez and Gladys Vidal ()
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Naomi Monsalves: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Ana María Leiva: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Gloria Gómez: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Gladys Vidal: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Laundry greywater is considered as an alternative source of non-potable water, as it is discharged in approximately 70% of homes. Because this water contains compounds such as biodegradable and recalcitrant organic matter, surfactants, and microbiological compounds, it must be treated prior to reuse. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the behavior of organic matter and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in greywater treated by a constructed wetland (CW). The results show that the organic matter removal efficiencies were 67.19%, 50.15%, and 63.57% for biological oxygen demand (BOD 5 ), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC), respectively; these efficiencies were not significant ( p > 0.05). In addition, the CW allows the distribution of TOC and ionic compounds in the fractions below 1000 Da to increase by 5.03% and 13.05%, respectively. Meanwhile, the treatment of microbiological compounds generated non-significant removals ( p > 0.05), along with increases in bacteria resistant to the antibiotics ciprofloxacin (CIP) and ceftriaxone (CTX) of 36.34%, and 40.79%, respectively. In addition, a strong association between ARB to CIP, CTX, cationic and non-ionic surfactants was determined, indicating the role of surfactants in ARB selection. It is suggested that disinfection systems should be employed prior to the reuse of the treated water.

Keywords: greywater; constructed wetlands; antibiotic-resistant bacteria; organic compounds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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