Effect of hydraulic retention time, temperature, and organic load on a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland treating cheese whey wastewater

This study evaluated the effect of hydraulic retention time on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (TN) removal in an intermittently aerated constructed wetlands. Two horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands were used: one without aeration and the other aerated intermittently (1 hour with aeration/7 hours without aeration). Both systems were evaluated treating domestic wastewater produced synthetically. The flow rate into the two CWs was 8.6 L day-1 having a hydraulic retention time of 3 days. The results show that the intermittently aerated constructed wetland were highly efficient in removing COD (98.25%), TN (83.60%) and total phosphorus (78.10%), while the non-aerated constructed wetland showed lower efficiencies in the removal of COD (93.89%), TN (48.60%) and total phosphorus (58.66). These results indicate, therefore, that intermittent aeration allows the simultaneous occurrence of nitrification and denitrification processes, improving the removal of TN in horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands. In addition, the use of intermittent aeration also improves the performance of constructed wetlands in removing COD and total phosphorus.

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On-site treatment of domestic wastewater using a small-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2010.172 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 603-614 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

G. D. Gikas ◽

V. A. Tsihrintzis

Keyword(s):

Constructed Wetland ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Subsurface Flow ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

Statistical Testing ◽

Small Scale ◽

Single Family ◽

Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland ◽

Removal Efficiencies ◽

Horizontal Subsurface Flow

A small-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland, located in North Greece, was designed and constructed to treat wastewater from a single-family residence. A three-year monitoring program was undertaken to evaluate the performance of this system. The monitoring campaigns were organized every 7 days. Water quality samples were collected at the inlet, at intermediate points (i.e. at the end of each treatment stage) and at the outlet of the system. Temperature, electrical conductivity, pH and DO were measured in-situ with the use of appropriate instruments at the same points of water sample collection. Water samples were analyzed for BOD, COD, TKN, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphorus (TP), ortho-phosphate (OP), total suspended solids (TSS) and total coliforms (TC). Mean removal efficiencies for the monitoring period were: 86.5% for BOD, 84.6% for COD, 83.7% for TKN, 82.2% for ammonia, 63.1% for OP, 63.3% for TP, 79.3% for TSS and 99.9% for TC. Furthermore, based on statistical testing, TKN, ammonia and TP removal efficiencies showed dependence on temperature. The paper presents facility description, study details and monitoring results. The study shows that the use of constructed wetlands in wastewater treatment is a good option for single-family residences in rural areas.

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