VALENCIA'S MONASTERIOS WETLAND AS A NATURAL FILTER FOR WATER POLLUTANTS: MICROPLASTIC DYNAMICS AND CONTROL MECHANISMS

Main-author: Ioana Caprar,

Faculty of Environmental Science, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain

-to be continued-

-scratch of an ongoing project-

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Introduction

The "Monasterios" area in the Valencia region of Spain, specifically in the municipality of Puçol, is known for a residential development and a wastewater treatment plant that includes a wetland. This wetland is part of the Los Monasterios WWTP, which is a full-scale treatment facility. The WWTP also features pretreatment, secondary treatment (with floating macrophytes), and a tertiary treatment stage, including a floating wetland and a horizontal flow constructed wetland. Additionally, there have been reintroduction efforts for the Spanish ribbed newt in the wetlands within the Los Monasterios area. 

Los Monasterios Residential Area:

This is a well-known residential area located near Valencia, within the Sierra Calderona Natural Park.

Monasterios WWTP:

The wastewater treatment plant, which includes a wetland, serves a population of 1500 PE. It utilizes various treatment stages, including pretreatment, secondary treatment (with floating macrophytes and extended aeration activated sludge), and tertiary treatment (floating wetland and horizontal flow constructed wetland).

Wetland in Los Monasterios WWTP:

The wetland serves as part of the tertiary treatment stage, contributing to the overall purification of wastewater.

Spanish Ribbed Newt Reintroduction:

The LIFE Renaturwat project has been involved in reintroducing Spanish ribbed newts to the wetlands in Los Monasterios.

Ioana Caprar, 27.05.2025