A Retrospective Cohort Study of bioremediation strategies in coastal ecosystems with industrial wastewater discharge

Anders Lindqvist; M. Karlsson; M. Hansen

doi:10.5281/zenodo.22812676

Authors

Anders Lindqvist Department of Clinical Environmental Science, Amur Center for Environmental Technology Author https://orcid.org/9777-5965-1656-6815
M. Karlsson Department of Environmental Science, Uruguay Center for Environmental Technology Author https://orcid.org/1155-3770-0698-3805
M. Hansen Department of Environmental Science, Parana Institute for Advanced Environmental Technology Author https://orcid.org/4993-4297-1086-9295

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22812676

Keywords:

bioremediation, coastal ecosystems, industrial wastewater, retrospective cohort, bioaugmentation

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Background: Coastal ecosystems that receive industrial wastewater discharge accumulate hydrocarbons, heavy metals and nutrients that persist in sediments long after outfall permits change, and the comparative long-term performance of the bioremediation strategies used to manage these sites remains poorly quantified.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study evaluates the long-term effectiveness of bioaugmentation, biostimulation, phytoremediation and constructed-wetland buffering at coastal sites with a documented history of industrial wastewater discharge.

Methods: Monitoring records from 42 coastal discharge sites followed for 8 to 22 years were stratified by dominant remediation strategy and compared for contaminant decline, recovery time and cost per hectare using retrospective cohort methods.

Results: Sites managed with combined bioaugmentation-biostimulation and mangrove or wetland buffering showed significantly faster contaminant decline and lower long-term recovery cost than sites relying on dredging or natural attenuation alone.

Conclusion: Biologically based remediation strategies, particularly when paired with vegetated buffer restoration, offer the most durable reduction of industrial contaminant burden in coastal ecosystems and should be prioritized in future discharge-site management.

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