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Critical role of benthic fauna in enhancing nanoplastics removal in constructed wetland: Performance, fate and mechanism
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Researchers found that adding benthic fauna such as clams and worms to constructed wetlands significantly improved the removal of nanoplastics from wastewater. The organisms enhanced microbial activity and biofilm formation, which helped trap and break down the tiny plastic particles more effectively. The study suggests that incorporating natural organisms into wetland treatment systems could be a practical strategy for addressing nanoplastic pollution.
The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in wastewater poses a considerable risk to ecosystems. Although constructed wetlands (CWs) have the potential to removal NPs, their efficiency is limited by insufficient consideration of ecosystem integrity. Herein, three typical benthic fauna (Corbicula fluminea, Chironomus riparius and Tubifex tubifex) were added to CWs to improve the ecological integrity of CWs, and further enhance the ecological benefits. Results indicated that the addition of C. fluminea, C. riparius and T. tubifex increased NPs removal by 19.14 %, 17.02 %, and 15.76 % than that without benthic faunas, respectively. Based on fluorescence signal analysis, the presence of benthic fauna could intake NPs, and enhanced the adsorption of NPs by plants. The addition of C. fluminea significantly increased catalase (1541.82 ± 41.35 U/g), glutathione S-transferase (0.34 ± 0.02 U/g), and superoxide dismutase (116.33 ± 6.91 U/g) activities (p < 0.05) as a defense mechanism against NPs-induced oxidative stress. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the abundances of key enzymes involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and polystyrene metabolism pathways were increased when C. fluminea was added, corresponding to the microbial degradation of NPs. Overall, the results of this study implied that the benthic fauna can efficiently remove NPs from wastewater in CWs.
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Enhancing microplastic removal and nitrogen mitigation in constructed wetlands: An earthworm-centric perspective
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Researchers added earthworms to constructed wetlands and found they significantly improved the removal of biodegradable microplastics and nitrogen pollutants from wastewater. The earthworms reshaped their gut microbial communities in ways that boosted both plastic degradation and nitrogen cycling, increasing microplastic removal by 13.5 percent. The findings suggest that incorporating earthworms into wetland treatment systems could offer a natural, low-cost approach to improving water quality.
Nanomaterial control in constructed wetlands: Linking environmental fate, ecological effects, and sustainable management
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This review summarizes existing research on tiny human-made particles called nanomaterials, including nanoplastics, in constructed wetlands used to treat water. It finds these materials mainly build up in the soil and biofilm layer, often harming wetland organisms through stress and cell damage, which can affect water cleaning performance.
[Research Process on the Removal Characteristics and Ecological Response of Constructed Wetlands to Microplastics/Nanoplastics].
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This Chinese-language review summarized how constructed wetlands remove microplastics and nanoplastics through plant-substrate-microorganism interactions, covering removal mechanisms, ecological effects, and treatment efficiency. The authors found wetlands to be a cost-effective ecological approach but noted significant knowledge gaps on long-term nanoplastic behavior.
Microplastics occurrence and fate in full-scale treatment wetlands
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Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence and fate across full-scale treatment wetlands, finding that constructed wetlands effectively remove a significant proportion of MPs from wastewater but that removal efficiency varies with wetland design and MP characteristics.
Effects of macrophytes on micro – And nanoplastic retention and cycling in constructed wetlands
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This study tested how the presence of aquatic plants (macrophytes) in constructed wetlands affects the capture and cycling of micro- and nanoplastics. Researchers found that planted wetlands were significantly better at intercepting nanoplastics and also improved nitrogen and phosphorus removal even when exposed to plastic particles. The findings suggest that including macrophytes in constructed wetland designs can enhance their ability to manage plastic pollution in water.
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