Determination of the capability of constructed wetland components to remove 17α-ethynylestradiol and β-estradiol from wastewater

Authors
Bliss, Samantha N.
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Other Contributors
Nyman, Marianne
Kilduff, James
Zimmie, T. F.
Issue Date
2017-12
Keywords
Environmental engineering
Degree
MS
Terms of Use
This electronic version is a licensed copy owned by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Copyright of original work retained by author.
Full Citation
Abstract
The removal was quantified over fifteen weeks from a set starting concentration of approximately 10 mg/L (concentration known) combined β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol contained in a batch reactor system. Another goal was to identify and quantify residual β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol in the plant tissue and sediment media at the conclusion of the study using solvent extraction methods. Results indicated that each plant species and the sediment media were responsible for a reduction in combined estrogen concentration over time. Removal efficiency data over time and final concentrations of combined estrogen consistently placed the duckweed plant (96.4 % removal) ahead of water hyacinth (72.2 % removal), water cabbage (34.6 % removal), and finally sediment media for rate of removal (8.7 % removal) and overall reduction of contaminant concentration. Extraction data for both plant material and sediment media suggested the attenuation of estrogenic compounds in a non-degraded state throughout the study. This research project presents the approach used to better understand unique removal capabilities of each selected component of constructed wetland design. Additionally, included discussion offers points of consideration regarding sustaining living plant systems in the laboratory as well as a proposed expanded scope of work for future researchers.
Description
December 2017
School of Engineering
Department
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Relationships
Rensselaer Theses and Dissertations Online Collection
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