US EPA

2483950 

Journal Article 

Microbial processes of heavy metal removal from carbon-dericient effluents in constructed wetlands 

Kosolapov, DB; Kuschk, P; Vainshtein, MB; Vatsourina, AV; Wiebner, A; Kastner, M; Muller, RA 

2004 

Yes 

Engineering in Life Sciences
ISSN: 1618-0240
EISSN: 1618-2863 

WILEY 

HOBOKEN 

4 

5 

403-411 

10.1002/elsc.200420048 

WOS:000224550300001 

This paper reviews the main microbial processes involved when toxic metals are removed from wastewater in constructed wetlands. Microbial activity is thought to play a key role in the detoxification of these metals. The paper concentrates on the microbial processes which affect the mobility, the toxicity and bioavailability of metals, namely biosorption, metal sulfide precipitation by sulfate reducers, redox transformations, and methylation, as well as microbe-plant interactions. These reactions result in either the precipitation and accumulation of metals in wetland soils, or their volatilization and emission into the atmosphere. The possibilities of optimizing the microbially mediated reactions for the development of wetland technology are discussed as a long-term metal retention strategy.