Hexachlorobenzene dechlorination in constructed wetland mesocosms

We studied the dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in wetland mesocosm (MC) trials filled with sediment (well mineralized homogenized peat mixed with mud) from a wastewater treatment wetland located in a floodplain: three MCs were planted with common reed (Phragmites australis) and another three with broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia). According to the rootzone development we distinguished between the upper (0–10 cm from the soil surface) and lower layers (20–30 cm). Over 36 days, the initial measured concentration of HCB was reduced to 61%, 51%, 42% and 40% in the lower layer without roots of Phragmites, in the lower layer with roots of Typha, in the upper layer with roots of Typha, and in the upper layer with roots of Phragmites respectively. The 90% degradation time (DT90) of the initial measured HCB can be calculated as 192, 121, 110 and 92 days (d) respectively. PeCB, 1, 2, 3, 4-, 1, 2, 3, 5- and 1, 2, 4, 5-TeCB, and 1, 2, 3-, 1, 2, 4- and 1, 3, 5-TCB were the main dechlorination products detected in MC sediment samples. The dechlorination rates of HCB were higher in sediment layers with well-developed root zones. According to the DT50 of 28–58 days and DT90 of 92–192 days, HCB can be considered to be a less persistent organic pollutant in constructed wetlands.

► Dechlorination of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in wetland mesocosms was studied.
► HCB concentration was reduced to 40–61% of initial value during 36 days.
► The dechlorination rates of HCB were higher in layers with well-developed root zones.