RT Journal Article
T1 Wastewater Discharge through a Stream into a Mediterranean Ramsar Wetland: Evaluation and Proposal of a Nature-Based Treatment System
A1 De los Ríos-Mérida, Jesús
A1 Guerrero, Francisco
A1 Arijo-Andrade, Salvador
A1 Muñoz, María
A1 Álvarez-Manzaneda, Inmaculada
A1 García-Márquez, Jorge
A1 Bautista-Bueno, Begoña
A1 Rendón Martos, Manuel
A1 Reul, Andreas
K1 Agua - Calidad
AB Impacts on wetlands are becoming more pressing every day. Among them, habitat loss, overexploitation of aquifers and changes in land use are considered the most important. However, the impacts linked to wastewater discharges are increasing worldwide. In this context, this study analyses the impacts of input of wastewater to a Mediterranean Ramsar temporary wetland (Fuente de Piedra, south of Spain). To this end, systematic sampling was carried out in the Charcón stream which receives water from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and discharges it into the wetland. The results showed a slight decrease in the nutrient concentrations, particularly for nitrogen compounds. Heterotrophic and fecal bacteria concentration, as well as phytoplankton and zooplankton abundance and biomass, all significantly decreased from the treatment plant to the wetland. When comparing the effect of this discharge with other similar occurring to the same wetland, it was evident that the Charcón stream was responsible for a greater impact. At this point, it is relevant to note that the main difference among both treated wastewater discharges lies in the different water retention time once the wastewater was released from the WWTP. In fact, we recommend an increase in the water retention time by building seminatural ponds, together with the use of biofilters, which will notably contribute to improve the processes of assimilation of nutrients and to decrease the impact generated in the wetland by this spill.
PB MDPI
YR 2021
FD 2021-03-23
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/30212
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/30212
LA eng
NO De-los-Ríos-Mérida J, Guerrero F, Arijo S, Muñoz M, Álvarez-Manzaneda I, García-Márquez J, Bautista B, Rendón-Martos M, Reul A. Wastewater Discharge through a Stream into a Mediterranean Ramsar Wetland: Evaluation and Proposal of a Nature-Based Treatment System. Sustainability. 2021; 13(6):3540. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063540
NO Ministry of Science of Spain (Plan Nacional de Investigación, AGL2010-17789) and the European Regional Development Fund. The acquisition of the Flow-CAM by the University of Málaga was co-financed by the 2008–2011 FEDER program for Scientific-Technique Infrastructure (UNMA08-1E005)
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 20 ene 2026