Six treatment systems, composed of three downflow anaerobic filters followed by six Constructed Wetlands (SACs), had their operating conditions evaluated when used in the treatment of wastewater from coffee fruit processing (ARC). The filters were made of PVC (1.5 m high and 0.35 m in diameter) and filled with n. 2 crushed stone. SACs were constructed of wood boxes (1.5 m long, 0.4 m high and 0.5 m wide) being sealed with an HDPE geomembrane and filled with "zero" crushed stone. The pH of the ARC was corrected with lime to values near 7.0 and nutrient concentration altered in order to obtain a BOD/N/P ratio equal to 500/5/1. In half of the SACs was planted ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and in the other half oat (Avena strigosa Schreb). As a result, it was observed that the plant species grown in the SACs didn't affect the overall efficiencies of pollutant removal by the systems. The systems that received the lowest organic loading showed the highest efficiencies of removal of organic matter, reaching 78% for COD and 70% for BOD and the removal of TSS was higher than 70% in all systems studied, indicating the feasibility of applying anaerobic filter system followed by constructed wetland system in ARC treatment.
anaerobic filters; constructed wetlands; agroindustrial wastewater; organic matter; coffee
