FITORREMEDIAÇÃO DE ÁGUAS RESIDUÁRIAS DE PRODUÇÃO DE CELULOSE NO CONTEXTO DE REMOÇÃO DE METAIS PESADOS
FITORREMEDIAÇÃO DE ÁGUAS RESIDUÁRIAS DE PRODUÇÃO DE CELULOSE NO CONTEXTO DE REMOÇÃO DE METAIS PESADOS
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5552507035
Palavras-chave: Fitorremediação, metais pesados, efluentes industriais, celulose e papel, macrófitas aquáticas, tratamento de água residuária.
Keywords: Phytoremediation, heavy metals, industrial wastewater, pulp and paper, aquatic macrophytes, wastewater treatment.
Abstract: The pulp and paper industry generates large volumes of effluents due to high water consumption. The kraft process, widely used in Brazil, is efficient in cellulose extraction but produces wastewater with high concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds. Among the main pollutants found in these effluents are heavy metals such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb), as well as organochlorine compounds and lignin derivatives, which contribute to high aquatic toxicity and recalcitrance. The chemical complexity of these effluents poses a significant environmental challenge, requiring the development and refinement of effective and sustainable treatment strategies. In this context, phytoremediation has been extensively studied as a viable and cost-effective approach for removing heavy metals and other contaminants from these effluents. Literature reports indicate that several aquatic macrophytes have the potential for this purpose, including Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Lemna minor, Typha angustifolia, Phragmites australis, Canna indica, Chrysopogon zizanioides, and Centella asiatica. The efficiency of the process varies according to plant species, effluent composition, and environmental conditions such as pH, nutrient availability, and pollutant concentrations. Reported removal rates in the literature differ among metals and plant species. Eichhornia crassipes have shown Fe removal of up to 96.2% in hydroponic systems, while Erianthus arundinaceus achieved 84.1% Cu removal in vertical flow-constructed wetlands (VF-CW). Zn was effectively removed by Eichhornia crassipes (up to 97.2%), whereas Chrysopogon zizanioides demonstrated high efficiency in Pb (94.7%) and Cd (95.2%) removal. Ni reached 73.3% removal with Erianthus arundinaceus, while Cr removal by Centella asiatica was 38%. Hg removal was most effective with Lemna minor, reaching 66.7%. Although promising, phytoremediation faces challenges in treating pulp and paper effluents. High organic loads and chemical complexity can impair macrophyte performance, requiring careful species selection and cultivation conditions. Toxic compounds may reduce process efficiency, necessitating integration with other treatment technologies. Large-scale application requires further research on cultivation optimization, absorption mechanisms, and combined strategies to enhance efficiency.
- Eder Carlos Lopes Coimbra
- Alisson Carraro Borges