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An eco-friendly system of green bio-sorption reactor (GBR), constructed by embedding alum sludge-based constructed wetland (AlCW) into a conventional activated sludge process to achieve “1 + 1 > 2”, was evaluated under a long-term operation basis. Insight into the pollutants removal, particularly the role of the AlCW in the GBR, was explored and discussed. The results showed that the GBR could achieve 90% and 95% removal for TN and TP (Stage 4), respectively, under the hydraulic and nitrogen loading rate of 2.07 m 3 /(m 3 ·d) and 166.2 gN/(m 3 ·d), respectively. Intriguingly, despite the P adsorption, the AlCW enlarged the size of the activated sludge flocs which benefited the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. Subversively, the embedding AlCW brings about dual-intensification in both capacity and efficiency. In addition, the GBR as an ecological engineering system can be employed closely to residential area in line with its green and pleasing appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Constructed wetland (CW) efficiently decreased up to 90% BOD from sewage in 24h. [•] P. australis, T. latifolia and C. esculenta (HGR) were main components of CW. [•] CW efficiently removed nutrients and metals from sewage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An ecologically engineered system (EES) was designed to mimic the natural cleansing functions of wetlands to bring about wastewater treatment. EES consisted of three tanks containing diverse biota viz., aquatic macrophytes, submerged plants, emergent plants and filter feeders connected in series. The designed system was evaluated for 216days by operating in continuous mode (20l/day) to treat both sewage (DS) and fermented-distillery wastewater (FDW, from hydrogen producing bioreactor). Floating macrophyte system (Tank 1) was more effective in removing COD and nitrates. Submerged and emergent integrated macrophyte system (Tank 2) showed an effective removal of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) along with COD. Filter-feeding system (Tank 3) visualized the removal of COD, VFA, turbidity and color. On the whole the system can treat effectively DS (COD, 68.06%; nitrate, 22.41%; turbidity, 59.81%) and FDW (COD, 72.92%; nitrate, 23.15%; color, 46.0%). The designed EES can be considered as an economical approach for the treatment of both sewage and fermented wastewaters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Bioregenerative ecosystem is a sustainable strategy for global life essentials. • Species configurations need to be streamlined based on the current knowledge. • Mitigation of climate change and urban farming are two major applications of BLSS. • Integrating waste biorefineries and solar energy could achieve circular bioeconomy. Climate change, resource depletion and unsustainable crop productivity are major challenges that mankind is currently facing. Natural ecosystems of earth's biosphere are becoming vulnerable and there is a need to design Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) which are ecologically engineered microcosms that could effectively deal with problems associated with urbanization and industrialization in a sustainable manner. The principles of BLSS could be integrated with waste fed biorefineries and solar energy to create a self-sustainable bioregenerative ecosystem (SSBE). Such engineered ecosystems will have potential to fulfil urban life essentials and climate change mitigation thus generating ecologically smart and resilient communities which can strengthen the global economy. This article provides a detailed overview on SSBE framework and its improvement in the contemporary era to achieve circular bioeconomy by means of effective resource recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bioregenerative ecosystem is a sustainable strategy for global life essentials. • Species configurations need to be streamlined based on the current knowledge. • Mitigation of climate change and urban farming are two major applications of BLSS. • Integrating waste biorefineries and solar energy could achieve circular bioeconomy. Climate change, resource depletion and unsustainable crop productivity are major challenges that mankind is currently facing. Natural ecosystems of earth's biosphere are becoming vulnerable and there is a need to design Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) which are ecologically engineered microcosms that could effectively deal with problems associated with urbanization and industrialization in a sustainable manner. The principles of BLSS could be integrated with waste fed biorefineries and solar energy to create a self-sustainable bioregenerative ecosystem (SSBE). Such engineered ecosystems will have potential to fulfil urban life essentials and climate change mitigation thus generating ecologically smart and resilient communities which can strengthen the global economy. This article provides a detailed overview on SSBE framework and its improvement in the contemporary era to achieve circular bioeconomy by means of effective resource recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]