An integrated electrochemical-phytoremediation process for the treatment of industrial wastewater

Abstract

In this chapter we explain the nature of the industrial wastewater. In most of the cases, the pollutants are very toxic and inhibit the biological activity of the microorganisms used in the biological treatment. Therefore, combined methods are required to successfully improve the water quality. In this approach we integrate the use of electrocoagulation that eliminates the colloidal matter present in wastewater and phytoremediation which is performed using Myriophyllum aquaticum as a polishing step. When these methods are used, the wastewater quality is improved. In order to verify the Myriophyllum aquaticum health status, we determinate the chlorophyll content, growth of the plant, and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and peroxidation lipid levels. With the purpose of checking the health status of Myriophyllum aquaticum, we determined some biomarkers as chlorophyll content, the plant growth, and activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and lipid peroxidation levels. The macrophytes may be tolerant at residual contaminants from wastewater treated with electrocoagulation to a dilution of 19 % starting of a COD of 974. The coupled electrocoagulation (using aluminum electrodes) phytoremediation system was more efficient as compared with the electrochemical treatment.