Ecological floating bed (EFB) for decontamination of polluted water bodies: Design, mechanism and performance

Worldwide water quality is degrading and most of the water bodies are now being contaminated by heavy load of pollutants from various industries. Aquatic ecosystems are also disrupted affecting various flora and fauna adversely. Water bodies dominated with aquatic plants have high yielding capacity. These plants are capable of high nutrient accumulation and creating favorable condition in rhizosphere for microbial organic degradation, which can be applied in the restoration process of polluted lakes, natural streams and wetlands, etc. Ecological Floating Bed (EFB) is designed by using aquatic plants, floating like mat on the surface of water. The plant roots hang beneath the floating mat and provide a large surface area for biofilm growth. This paper reviewed the EFB concept, structure, mechanisms and functions. Screening of suitable macrophyte species, involvement of biofilm in organic removal process and necessity of growth media have been discussed briefly. Apart from this, effect of depth, buoyancy, vegetation coverage ratio are also represented. Detail mechanisms of oxygen transfer from top to bottom of water biomass have been well analyzed. Various pollutants present in wastewater like organics, solids, nitrogen, phosphorous, heavy metals etc. and their removal mechanism have also mentioned. Again biomass needs to be harvested in regular interval, else the absorbed nutrients may re-enter to the water body. Overall, EFB is an efficient and effective wastewater treatment technology and further research is necessary for its better utilization. Finally, based on reviews, recommendations have been made for future research.