Removal of Emergent Pollutants by a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland with Vetiveria Zizanioides: A Case Study for Caffeine

This work evaluated caffeine removal in a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW), planted with Vetiveria zizanioides. The feeding was continuous (synthetic influent: mineral medium and caffeine) to reduce the concentration variations bed. Two influent concentrations (0.75 ± 1.0 mg·L−1 1.5 mg·L−1) were used constant hydraulic load (100 10 L·m−2·d−1). Plant growth monitored weekly, characterization carried out determine levels of chlorophyll b, pigments carotenoids, nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium potassium). HPLC-MS concentration. efficiency reached averages 93 1% 87 (retention time: 6.23 0.23 hours). contents did not affect a, total or an increasing trend throughout tests observed. Sodium potassium also showed increase higher preliminary study that removing from wastewater using VFCW is promising.
 Keywords: wastewater, emergent pollutants, caffeine, wetlands, zizanioides