Cr, Ni, and Zn removal from landfill leachate using vertical flow wetlands planted with Typha domingensis and Canna indica

Novelty statement Landfills generate leachate that contains a wide range of contaminants in concentrations that vary over time. Even when a landfill ceases to receive solid waste, the leachate will continue to be generated for years. To avoid environmental impact, such leachate should be treated. This work evaluated chromium (III), nickel (II), and zinc (II) removal from landfill leachate using vertical flow wetlands (VFWs) at mesocosm-scale. The performance of wetlands planted with Typha domingensis or Canna indica, and with and without recirculation were compared. VFWs have demonstrated to be efficient for landfill leachate treatment. At a global scale, studies on metal removal using this type of wetlands are scarce. Despite the advantages of treatment wetlands in Argentina (easy operation and maintenance and usual large availability of land inside factories), they are scarcely implemented.