pH, redox, and oxygen microprofiles in rhizosphere of bulrush (Scirpus validus) in a constructed wetland treating municipal wastewater

Microenvironmental studies regarding plant oxygen release in a wastewater environment are important to understand the principles of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and dissolved oxygen (DO) microprofiles for the lateral and main roots of the bulrush (Scirpus validus) in a vertical flow constructed wetland fed with municipal wastewater were measured using microelectrode techniques. pH was found to be low (6.91 - 6.98) near the lateral root surface, indicating possible nitrification or H+ extrusion. The ORP at the lateral root surface was between +250 and +317 mV and gradually reached the bulk solution ORP (+14 to -54 mV) at a radial distance of similar to4,750 mum. DO values at the lateral root surface varied from 0.64-2.04 mg L-1 as bulk biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) changed from 24 to 1,267 mg L-1. DO at the lateral root surface and the thickness of the oxygen layer around the root marginally increased with an increase in bulk BOD, while ORP at the lateral and main root surface decreased. pH and DO values did not change near the main root and had the bulk solution values. The results of this study provide insights into root-induced microenvironments and would be helpful for the quantification of the total amount of oxygen contributed by plants in constructed wetlands. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.