Applied research
The applied research is the last step to transform an idea in reality. Indeed, the applied research includes all the activities needed to apply at a real scale a solution studied at a lower one.
IRIDRA has always monitored its designed and realized treatment plants, giving an important contribution to international and national communities. Particularly, IRIDRA has relevantly promoted the constructed wetland solution, providing evidence of its efficiencies in terms of wastewater treatment. For instance, IRIDRA was among the first firms that monitored its designed constructed wetlands for the treatment of combined sewer overflows or wineries. Another relevant example is the monitoring of the second largest constructed wetland tertiary treatment plant in Italy (Jesi - 60,000 PE), designed by IRIDRA.
IRIDRA's experience in the field of applied research
In the following, some of the most relevant real scale nature-based solutions of which IRIDRA has done the monitoring and the dissemination.
Monitoring of the CW WWTP of Orhei Municipality (20.000 PE, Moldova)
Constructed wetland plant for the treatment of urban wastewater of Orhei town (20.000 PE - Moldova), designed by IRIDRA in collaboration with P&P, SWS, and Hydea.
Influent and effluent COD concentrations from the different stages of CW WWTP of Orhei (1st stage French Reed Bed and 2nd stage vertical subsurface flow wetland, i.e. FRB and VF, respectively), from the monitoring of the first 3 years of functioning.
Monitoring of the CW plant for treatment of dairy wastewater produced by Fattoria della Piana (RC), Italy
Constructed wetland plant for the treatment of wastewater produced by the dairy Fattoria della Piana (RG - Italy), designed by IRIDRA
Influent and effluent COD concentrations from the CW WWTP serving the Fattoria della Piana dairy, from the monitoring of the first 3 years of functioning.
Monitoring of the CW plant for treatment of wastewater produced by "Cecchi and Sons" winery (SI), Italy
Constructed wetland plant for the treatment of wastewater produced by the winery Cecchi and Sons (SI - Italy), designed by IRIDRA
Influent and effluent COD concentrations from the different stages of CW WWTP for Cecchi and Sons winery (1st stage French Reed Bed, 2nd stage horizontal subsurface flow wetland, and 3rd stage free water surface wetland, i.e. FRB, VF, and FWS, respectively), from the monitoring of the 13 years of functioning.
Monitoring of the CW plant for treatment of combined sewer overflow of Gorla Maggiore (VA), Italy
Nature-based solution for treatment of combined sewer overflow sited in the new Water Park of Gorla Maggiore (VA), designed by IRIDRA
Influent and effluent COD concentrations from the CSO-CW of Gorla maggiore for three CSO events in three different seasons (Spring, Summer and Autumn 2014).
Among the most relevant IRIDRA's publications in the field of applied research
IRIDRA's authors are highlighted in bold.
Conte G., Martinuzzi N., Giovannelli L., Pucci B., Masi F. "Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in central Italy", Water Science & Technology, vol. 44, n. 11-12 , 339-343, 2001.
Conte G., Bolognesi A., Bragalli C., Branchini S., De Carli A., Lenzi C., Masi F., Massarutto A., Pollastri M. and Principi I. "Innovative Urban Water Management as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: Results from the Implementation of the Project "Water Against Climate Change (WATACLIC)". Water, 4(4), 1025-1038; 2012.
Gajewska M., Jóźwiakowski K., Ghrabi A., Masi F., Impact of Influent Wastewater Quality on Nitrogen Removal Rates in Multistage Treatment Wetlands, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 10/2014. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3647-4, 22, 17, 12840-12848, 2015.
Ghrabi A., Bousselmi L., Masi F., Regelsberger M., "Constructed wetland as a low cost and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment adapted to rural settlements: the Chorfech wastewater treatment pilot plant", Water Science & Technology, 63, 12, 3006-3012, 2011.
Liquete C., Udias A., Conte G., Grizzetti B., Masi F., Integrated valuation of a nature-based solution for water pollution control. Highlighting hidden benefits. Ecosystem Services, 22, 392-401, ISSN 2212-0416, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.09.011, 2016.
Masi F., Martinuzzi N., Loiselle S., Peruzzi P., Bacci M., "The tertiary treatment pilot plant of Publiser (Florence - Tuscany): a multistage experience", Water Science & Technology, vol. 40, n. 3, 195-202, 1999.
Masi F., Martinuzzi N., Bresciani R., Giovannelli L. and Conte G., "Tolerance to hydraulic and organic load fluctuations in constructed wetlands". Water Science & Technology, 56, 3, 39-48, 2007.
Masi F., "Water reuse and resources recovery: the role of Constructed Wetlands in the Ecosan approach", Desalination, Vol. 246, pp. 27-34, 2009.
Masi F., El Hamouri B., Abdel Shafi H., Baban A., Ghrabi A., Regelsberger M. "Segregated black/grey domestic wastewater treatment by Constructed Wetlands in the Mediterranean basin: the Zer0-m experience", Water Science & Technology, 61, 1, 97-105, 2010. doi:10.2166/wst.2010.780.
Masi F., Caffaz S. and Ghrabi A., "Multi-stage constructed wetlands systems for municipal wastewater treatment", Water Science & Technology, 67, 7, 1590-1598, 2013.
Masi F., Rochereau J., Troesch S., Ruiz I., Soto M., Wineries wastewater treatment by constructed wetlands: a review, Water Science & Technology, 71, 8, 1113-1127, 2015.
Masi, F., Bresciani, R., Martinuzzi, N., Cigarini, G. and Rizzo, A., 2017. Large scale application of French reed beds: municipal wastewater treatment for a 20,000 inhabitants town in Moldova. Water Science and Technology, 76, 1, 68-78, 2017.
Meyer D., Molle P., Esser D., Troesch S., Masi F., Dittmer U. Constructed Wetlands for Combined Sewer Overflow Treatment—Comparison of German, French and Italian Approaches. Water.; 5(1):1-12, 2013.
Scheumann R., Masi F., El Hamouri B., Kraume M., "Greywater treatment as an option for effective wastewater management in small communities", Desalination and Water Treatment, 4, 33–39, 2009.
Wu S., Wallace S., Brix H., Kuschk P., Kipkemoi Kirui W., Masi F., Dong R., Treatment of industrial effluents in constructed wetlands: Challenges, operational strategies and overall performance, Environmental Pollution, 201, 107–120, 2015.
