Application of Pilot-Scale-Constructed Wetland as Tertiary Treatment System of Wastewater for Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal

This paper presents the results of using a pilot-scale-constructed wetland as a tertiary system to simulate the treatment conditions of wastewater effluents from the metal-mechanical industry, aiming to achieve the Brazilian legal standards of phosphorus and nitrogen emission. The macrophytes were placed in 1 m³ polyethylene tanks, daily estimating the treatment of 2 m³ of effluents. The effluents were circulated in a horizontal subsurface flow through a porous matrix of thick sand and gravel, in which the roots of the macrophytes of the species Reed (Scirpus sp.) and Cattail (Typha sp.) were fixed. Monitoring of the pilot plant was performed through a battery of physical?Cchemical and biological analyses. Despite the load variations and operational problems, the system presented a positive degree of pollutant efficiency removal, especially for phosphorus (73% medium), TKN (61% medium), and NH₄?CN (56% medium). Peak results were achieved during the last 3 months of monitoring. The chemical analysis of the support layer, plus the root system and aerial portion of the plants, revealed that these wastes could be used as fertilizer.     

Treatment of Hydroponics Wastewater Using Constructed Wetlands in Winter Conditions

Hydroponics culture generates large amounts of wastewater that are highly concentrated in nitrate and phosphorus but contains almost no organic carbon. Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been proposed to treat this type of effluent, but little is known about the performance of these systems in treating hydroponic wastewater. In addition, obtaining satisfactory winter performances from CWs operated in cold climates remains a challenge, as biological pathways are often slowed down or inhibited. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of plant species (Typha sp., Phragmites australis, and Phalaris arundinacea) and the addition of organic carbon on nutrient removal in winter. The experimental setup consisted of 16 subsurface flow CW mesocosms (1 m², HRT of 3 days) fed with 30 L?d¹ of synthetic hydroponics wastewater, with half of the mesocosms fed with an additional source of organic carbon (sucrose). Carbon addition had a significant impact on nitrate and phosphate removal, with removal means of 4.9 g m^-2?d^-1 of NO₃-N and 0.5 g m^-2 d^-1 of PO₄-P. Planted mesocosms were generally more efficient than unplanted controls. Furthermore, we found significant differences among plant treatments for NO₃-N (highest removal with P. arundinacea) and COD (highest removal with P. australis/Typha sp.). Overall, planted wetlands with added organic carbon represent the best combination to treat hydroponics wastewater during the winter.     

Methane emissions from different vegetation zones in a Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau wetland

We measured methane (CH₄) emissions in the Luanhaizi wetland, a typical alpine wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China, during the plant growth season (early July to mid-September) in 2002. Our aim was to quantify the spatial and temporal variation of CH₄ flux and to elucidate key factors in this variation. Static chamber measurements of CH₄ flux were made in four vegetation zones along a gradient of water depth. There were three emergent-plant zones (Hippuris-dominated; Scirpus-dominated; and Carex-dominated) and one submerged-plant zone (Potamogeton-dominated). The smallest CH₄ flux (seasonal mean=33.1 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹) was observed in the Potamogeton-dominated zone, which occupied about 74% of the total area of the wetland. The greatest CH₄ flux (seasonal mean=214 mg CH₄ m⁻² d⁻¹) was observed in the Hippuris-dominated zone, in the second-deepest water area. CH₄ flux from three zones (excluding the Carex-dominated zone) showed a marked diurnal change and decreased dramatically under dark conditions. Light intensity had a major influence on the temporal variation in CH₄ flux, at least in three of the zones. Methane fluxes from all zones increased during the growing season with increasing aboveground biomass. CH₄ flux from the Scirpus-dominated zone was significantly lower than in the other emergent-plant zones despite the large biomass, because the root and rhizome intake ports for CH₄ transport in the dominant species were distributed in shallower and more oxidative soil than occupied in the other zones. Spatial and temporal variation in CH₄ flux from the alpine wetland was determined by the vegetation zone. Among the dominant species in each zone, there were variations in the density and biomass of shoots, gas-transport system, and root-rhizome architecture. The CH₄ flux from a typical alpine wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was as high as those of other boreal and alpine wetlands.     

Performance of Phragmites Australis and Cyperus Papyrus in the treatment of municipal wastewater by vertical flow subsurface constructed wetlands

The use of constructed wetlands to treat municipal wastewater reduces energy consumption and therefore economic costs, as well as reduces environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to compare the purification capacity of domestic wastewater using two species of plants sown in subsurface constructed wetlands with vertical flow built on a small scale that received municipal wastewater with primary treatment. The species used were Phragmites Australis and Cyperus Papyrus. For this purpose, a constant flow of 0.6 m³ day⁻¹ was fed from the primary lagoon to each of the two wetlands built on a pilot scale with continuous flow. Each unit was filled with granite gravel in the lower part and with silicic sand in the upper part of different granulometry, the porosity of the medium was 0.34, with a retention time of 1.12 days and a hydraulic load rate of 0.2 m day⁻¹. To analyze the purification capacity of wastewater, physical, chemical and biological parameters were monitored during three months. Samples were taken at the entrance and exit in each experimental unit. The results obtained in the experimental tests for the two species of plants, indicated that the Cyperus Papyrus presented a greater capacity of pollutants removal as biochemical oxygen demand (80.69%), chemical oxygen demand (69.87%), ammoniacal nitrogen (69.69%), total phosphorus (50%), total coliforms (98.08%) and fecal coliforms (95.61%). In the case of Phragmites Australis retains more solids. The species with greater efficiency in the treatment of municipal wastewater for this study was Cyperus Papyrus.     

Artificial Wetland Performances in the Purification Efficiency of Hydrocarbon Wastewater

An artificial wetland planted with Typha latifolia was fed during a 360-day experiment with a reconstituted hydrocarbon wastewater (60 ppm, 850 L day^?1). Concentrations and chemical composition were periodically monitored. The epuration efficiency was studied together with the accumulation in sediment and the bacterial development. The apparent effluent concentration was below 8 mg L^?1 and the decrease in hydrocarbon concentration raised 90%. pH ranged between 6.9 and 8 and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) were below 10 mg L^?1. Hydrocarbon amount accumulated in sediment was estimated to be less than 10% of the input amount. We observed a high development of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (10⁶ bac mL^?1) and hydrocarbon-utilizing bacteria (10⁵ bac mL^?1), which probably interacted with the plants for the biodegradation of hydrocarbon (in the saturated effluent fraction, normal alkane biodegradation amounted to approximatively 80%). A comparative system with floating plants (Lemma minor), named ‘control bed’, was studied in parellel and showed lower performances.     

Impact of Prior Physico-Chemical Treatment on the Clogging Process of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands: Model-Based Evaluation

The objective of this study was to check the effect of the use of a physico-chemical treatment on the clogging process of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands by means of dynamic modelling. The hydraulic submodel was based on series as well as parallel branched complete stirred tanks of equal volume. The model was validated with data obtained from 2 identical experimental wetlands, which had a surface area of 0.54 m² and a water depth of 0.30 m, and that were monitored over a period of 5 months. One of the wetlands was fed with settled urban wastewater, whereas the other with the same wastewater, but previously treated with a physico-chemical treatment. In the model, pore volume reduction depends on the growth of bacteria and on solids retained. The effluent concentrations of COD and ammonium in both experimental wetlands were very similar in all the conditions tested, and therefore the physico-chemical treatment did not improve the removal efficiency. The model indicated that after 120 days of operation in some regions of the wetland fed with settled wastewater the porosity decreased in a 17%, whereas in the other wetlands it only decreased as much as 6%. The use of a prior physico-chemical treatment is a good alternative for avoiding an anticipated clogging of subsurface flow constructed wetlands.     

Efficiency of Mesocosm-Scale Constructed Wetland Systems for Treatment of Sanitary Wastewater Under Tropical Conditions

Subsurface-flow constructed wetlands technology (SSFW) has been used successfully for treating sanitary wastewater throughout North America and Europe. However, treatment wetland technologies have not been used extensively in the tropics. To advance tropical studies, a pilot-scale SSFW was constructed on the campus of the University of the Atlantic in Barranquilla, Colombia. The systems performance was monitored from January to July of 2009. The treatment system consisted of a 760-L septic tank followed by three mesocsom-scale subsurface-flow constructed wetlands in parallel arrangement. Clarified wastewater was batch loaded to each unit at a rate of 53 L/m²/day to affect a hydraulic retention time of approximately 3 days. One of the treatment units served as a non-planted control (gravel only), while the other two treatment units were planted with either Eriochloa aristata or Eleocharis mutata. The objective of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of the treatment units (planted vs. unplanted), with respect to their abilities to augment treatment of septic tank effluent (sanitary wastewater). Monitored parameters included plant biomass, oxidation?Creduction potential, chemical oxygen demand (COD), temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia?Cnitrogen (NH ₄ ⁺ ?CN) nitrate?C and nitrite?Cnitrogen (NO₃?CN, NO₂?CN), phosphates (PO ₄ ^? ), and coliform bacteria. Total biomass (dry matter) was 2.84 and 0.87 Kg/m² for E. aristata and E. mutata, respectively. Redox potential in the plant rizospheres averaged ?172 mV (±164.1) in E. aristata, 29 mV (±251.1) in E. mutata, and 32 mV (±210.5) in the unplanted control. COD removal was superior in planted vs. non-planted systems (>75% vs. 47%). Ammonia and total phosphorus removal averaged 69% and 85%, respectively, in planted systems versus 31% and 59% in the unplanted system. Removal of total and fecal coliforms averaged 96%. Results of this pilot study revealed that SSFW technology in the tropics can provide significant removal of organic matter, nutrients, and bacteria from clarified sanitary wastewater.     

Nitrogen And Phosphorus Removal In Substrate-Free Pilot Constructed Wetlands With Horizontal Surface Flow In Uganda

In constructed wetlands (CWs) with horizontal sub-surface flow, nutrient removal, especially phosphorus, is limited because the root biomass fills the pore spaces of the substrate (usually gravel), directing wastewater flow to deeper wetland media; plants are not regularly harvested; the litter formed by decomposing vegetation remains on the surface of the substrate and thus does not interact with the wastewater; and the substrate media often used provide only limited adsorption. Effective nutrient removal including rootzone oxidation, adsorption and plant uptake therefore requires sufficient interaction of wastewater with the treatment media. We assessed the feasibility of biological nutrient removal from wastewater using substrate-free CWs with horizontal flow, planted with two tropical macrophytes namely, Cyperus papyrus and Miscanthidium violaceum. The objectives were to evaluate the system treatment efficiency under semi-natural conditions, and to assess microbial and plant biomass contributions to nutrient removal in the CWs. Results showed high removal efficiencies for biochemical oxygen demand, ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄–N) and phosphorus (P) fractions in papyrus-based CWs (68.6–86.5%) compared to Miscanthidium (46.7–61.1%) and unplanted controls (31.6–54.3%). Ammonium oxidizing bacteria in CW root–mats (10⁸–10⁹ cells/gram dry weight) and residual nitrite and nitrate concentrations in the water phase indicated active system nitrification. Papyrus showed higher biomass production and nutrient uptake, contributing 28.5% and 11.2%, respectively, of the total N and P removed by the system compared to 15% N and 9.3% P removed by Miscanthidium plants. Compared to literature values, nitrification, plant uptake and the overall system treatment efficiency were high, indicating a high potential of this system for biological nutrient removal from wastewaters in the tropics.     

Full-Scale Experiment on Domestic Wastewater Treatment by Combining Artificial Aeration Vertical- and Horizontal-Flow Constructed Wetlands System

To improve domestic wastewater treatment for total nitrogen (TN) removal, a full-scale constructed wetlands combining an artificially aerated vertical- (AVCW) and a horizontal-flow constructed wetland (HCW) was completed in July 2007. The system covered a total area of 7,610?m². From 2 July 2007 to 7 August 2008, the treatment capacity was 2,076?m³?day^?1 with an aeration quantity of 7,400?m³?day^?1. The system effectively reduced the average annual output of BOD₅ (52.0?%), NH₄?CN (58.41?%), and TP (41.61?%), although the percentage reductions of other pollutants, including chemical oxygen demand (34.1?%), suspended solid (38.9?%), and TN (31.05?%) were lower. The purpose of the HCW was for denitrification of the effluent from the AVCW, and annual average of 34.27?% of NO₃?CN was removed compared with the reading at the AVCW outlet. With hydraulic loading increased to 4,152?m³?day^?1 from 9 September to 23 November 2007, the removal rate for NO₃?CN from the HCW decreased substantially from 48.80 to 18.86?%. The total removal rates of NH₄?CN showed significant positive correlation with DO content in the AVCW and with total TN removal rates for the combined system (P?<?0.05). The study indicated that, even with limited artificial aeration, nitrification was very effective for NH₄?CN removal.     

Utilization of created wetlands to upgrade small municipal wastewater treatment systems

Created wetlands offer a low cost, low maintenance, and practical alternative for upgrading secondary municipal wastewater treatment systems. The removal efficiencies, effects of seasonal temperature variations, and effects of increased loading rates on contaminant removal within such a system was studied by Auburn University researchers at a created wetland site in Hurtsboro, Alabama. The 0.16 ha system consisted of a two cell wetlands planted with cattails (Typha latifolia), bulrush (Scirpus validus), arrow duck potatoes (Sagitaria latifolis), burr reeds (Spargaminum eurycarpun), water pennywort (Hydrocotyl ranunculoides), and parrotfeather (Myriophyllum brasiliense). Testing occurred from January through September of 1988 at hydraulic loading rates of 169, 289, and 345 m³ ha^?1 d^?1. The monthly average total suspended solids influent: effluent mg L^?1 concentration ratio during the study period was 135:19 while the monthly average total BOD₅ influent: effluent mg L^?1 concentration ratio was 38:8. Once the system stabilized, the monthly average total BOD₅ effluent concentration remained essentially constant over the range of average BOD₅ loading rates employed in this study. Total Kjeldahl N removal was more effective at loading rates of 2.6 kg ha^?1 d^?1. The monthly average influent: effluent TKN mg L^?1 concentration ratio was 15:4.     

Ion input/output budgets for five wetlands constructed for acid coal mine drainage treatment

Five wetlands, each 6 m wide and 30 m long and containing 30 cm of an organic substrate (Sphagnum peat to which limestone and fertilizer were surface-applied on a quarterly basis, Sphagnum peat, sawdust, straw/manure, spent mushroom compost), were exposed to controlled inputs of acid coal mine drainage (AMD; pH 2.89, soluble Fe, Mn, and SO₄ ^2? concentrations of 119, 19, and 3132 mg L^?1, respectively) at a mean flow rate of 8513 L da^?1 for 111 weeks, beginning in July of 1989. All wetlands were net sources, rather than sinks, for base cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺). The Sphagnum peat wetland was the least effective in treating the AMD, retaining 35% of the soluble Fe influx, but not retaining substantial H⁺, soluble Mn, soluble Al, SO₄ ^2?, or acidity. The straw/manure and mushroom compost wetlands were the most effective in treating the AMD, retaining 53 and 67% of the H⁺ influx, 80 and 78% of the soluble Fe influx, 7 and 20% of the soluble Mn influx, 54 and 53% of the soluble Al influx, 15 and 11% of the SO₄ ^2? influx, and 57 and 63% of the acidity influx. For these two wetlands especially, treatment effectiveness was substantially diminished during the cold winter months of January through March. Moreover, from March through July of the final year of the study, treatment effectiveness was minimal with outflow pH and concentrations of soluble Fe, Mn, Al, SO₄ ^2? and acidity that were similar to inflow values. Decreases in treatment effectiveness over time appeared to be related to a decrease in the ability to counter the substantial acid load entering the wetlands in the AMD. Lime or limestone dissolution and bacterial dissimilatory sulfate reduction may have contributed substantially to pH improvement and acidity consumption in the straw/manure and mushroom compost wetlands, but after 2 years the cumulative input of acidity apparently had overwhelmed biotic and abiotic alkalinity generating mechanisms, as reflected in a progressive decrease in both substrate pH and abiotic acid neutralization capacity (ANC) over time, especially in the surface substrates. Also over time, effluent H⁺ and acidity concentrations became more like influent and H⁺ and acidity concentrations. Although samples of wetland interstitial water were not collected for chemical analysis, as substrate pH and ANC decreased and as influent and effluent water chemistry became more similar, it is likely that wetland interstitial water became progressively more acidic, potentially inhibiting bacterial processes that could contribute to effective treatment, favoring dissolution rather than formation of insoluble metal precipitates, and thereby contributing to the eventual failure of the wetlands to effectively treat the AMD. In general, when constructed wetlands are used to treat particularly acidic (pH<4) AMD, if abiotic and biotic alkalinity generation cannot balance the influent acid load, long-term effective treatment will not be achieved.     

Microfauna Community as an Indicator of Effluent Quality and Operational Parameters in an Activated Sludge System for Treating Piggery Wastewater

In order to study the potential use of microfauna as an indicator of effluent quality and operational parameters in an activated sludge system for treating piggery wastewater, an experimental sequencing batch reactor was set up and evaluated by biological and physical–chemical analyses for 12 months. Results show that microfauna (and specifically ciliate protozoa) are a good parameter for assessing effluent quality in terms of both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia and for assessing the organic and nitrogen load of the system. Specifically, the abundance of ciliates decreases from 20,000 individuals·mL^?1 to ca. 2,500 individuals·mL^?1 and from ca. 10,000 individuals mL^?1 to ca. 200 individuals mL^?1 when effluent concentration is between 550 and 750 mg L^?1 and above 100 mg L^?1 to the COD and ammonia concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, microfauna abundance is reduced from ca. 18,000 individuals mL^?1 (organic load between 0.1 and 0.2 mg COD mg total suspended solids (TSS)^?1 day^?1) to ca. 500 individuals mL^?1 (organic load between 0.3 and 04 mg COD mg TSS^?1 day^?1). Microfauna abundance also decreases as nitrogen loading increases. Nitrogen loading in the range of 5–60 mg NH₄–N g TSS^?1 day^?1 does not have any significant effect on microfauna abundance. However, ammonia loading from 60 to 120 mg NH₄–N g TSS^?1 day^?1 reduces microfauna abundance ca. 6-fold. Ciliate protozoa were the largest microfauna group during the whole period of study, representing ca. 75% of the total microfauna abundance. The largest group in the ciliate community was that of the free-swimming ciliates. This was followed by the group of attached and crawling ciliates. Specifically, the dominant ciliate species during the whole study period were Uronema nigricans, Vorticella microstoma-complex, Epistylis coronata, and Acineria uncinata.     

潜流人工湿地对畜禽养殖废水的净化效果

为了提高潜流人工湿地对畜禽养殖废水中污染物的去除效果,该试验通过改变湿地内部结构构建了4个潜流人工湿地单元,选用灰砖块和碎石做湿地填料,冬夏季轮作栽培齿果酸模和大狼把草,考察湿地运行期间对厌氧消化后猪场废水的净化效果。结果表明：湿地单元经过80 d的启动,运行稳定,有植物湿地比无植物对照湿地提前10 d左右进入稳定期。运行期间,各湿地单元对废水中氨氮（ammonia nitrogen,NH4+-N）、总氮（total nitrogen, TN）、总磷（total phosphorus,TP）和化学需氧量（chemical oxygen demand,CODCr）的去除率与气温变化均呈现显著线性正相关。在水力停留时间（hydraulic retention time,HRT）为4 d,进水中CODCr、NH4+-N、TN、TP浓度分别为520、110、120、10 mg/L左右时,4个湿地单元对CODCr、TP的去除率分别在60%和70%以上,对NH4+-N和TN的去除率分别为28%～67%和32%～58%,植物对CODCr及TP去除的贡献分别稳定在10%和4%左右,植物对氮的去除效果受气温影响较大,夏季对NH4+-N和TN去除的贡献分别可达13%和12%。与一般潜流人工湿地比较,改进的波形潜流人工湿地对NH4+-N、TN和CODCr的平均去除率提高均在3%以上,对TP去除效果差异不显著（P＞0.05）。该研究可为构建大规模的潜流人工湿地处理畜禽养殖废水提供理论依据和技术支持。     

The Efficacy of a Tropical Constructed Wetland for Treating Wastewater During the Dry Season: The Kenyan Experience

Constructed wetlands have recently received considerable attention as low cost and efficient means of cleaning up many different types of wastewaters at secondary and tertiary levels. This is an environmentally sound method of wastewater treatment that does not use hazardous chemicals, and is based on the high productivity and nutrient removal capability of the wetland that strongly relies on its intricate ecosystem structure and function. Research work was conducted on a tropical constructed wetland to establish its capability to treat wastewater during the dry season. A comparison of its efficacy with that of conventional wastewater treatment plants was made on the basis of the measured water quality parameters. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity were measured in situ. Total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), phosphorus, ammonia, and nitrites were analyzed in the laboratory. Fecal coliforms were enumerated and Escherichia coli counts were determined. The TSS values reduced from a mean of 102 mg/l at the influent point to 16 mg/l at the effluent point, depicting a reduction of 84.3%. Influent TDS averaged 847 mg/l, while the effluent averaged 783 mg/l. Dry season BOD₅ levels were reduced from an average of 286 at the inlet point to 11 mg/l at the outlet representing a reduction efficiency of 96.2%. COD levels were reduced from a mean of 2,002.5 to 47.5 mg/l depicting a removal efficiency of 97.6%. Phosphorus was reduced from a mean of 14 to 11 mg/l representing a percentage removal of 21.4%. Levels of ammonia reduced from a mean of 61 at the influent point to 36 mg/l at the effluent point representing a percent reduction of 41.0%. There was a 99.99% reduction for both the fecal coliforms and E. coli counts. Conductivity of wastewater increased from 1.08 to 1.98 mS, while the pH increased from 6.23 at the inlet point to 7.99 at the outlet of the system. Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements showed a diurnal variation. The dry season wastewater heavy metal concentrations were in the following ranges: Pb (0.7?C6.9 ppm), Cr (0.2?C0.5 ppm), Zn (0.1?C2.3 ppm), Ni (0.1?C1.3 ppm) with Cd and Cu not being detected in the wastewater streams. Overall, tropical constructed wetlands are effective in treating wastewater streams and they perform a lot better than the popularly used waste stabilization ponds. This paper recommends that they can be widely used within the tropics.     

Alkalinity generation by Fe(III) reduction versus sulfate reduction in wetlands constructed for acid mine drainage treatment

Despite the widespread use of wetlands for acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment, alkalinity generating mechanisms in wetlands and their abiotic and biotic controls are poorly understood. While both dissimilatory sulfate reduction and Fe(III) reduction are alkalinity-generating mechanisms, only the former has been considered as important in wetlands constructed for AMD treatment. This study was conducted to determine the extent to which Fe(III) reduction occurs and the extent to which sulfate reduction versus Fe(III) reduction contributes to alkalinity generation in 5 wetlands constructed with different organic substrates (Sphagnum peat with limestone and fertilizer, Sphagnum peat, sawdust, straw/ manure, mushroom compost) that had been exposed to the same quality and quantity of AMD for 18–22 months. These substrates had Fe oxyhydroxide concentrations of 250–810 μmol Fe g^?1 dry substrate. Flasks containing 100 g of wet substrate along with either 150 mL of wetland water or 130 mL of wetland water and 20 mL of 37 % formalin were incubated at 4 °C in January and 25 °C in May. On days 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16, the slurry mixtures were analyzed for concentrations of H⁺, Fe²⁺ and SO₄ ^2?. The bulk of the evidence indicates that for all except the mushroom compost wetland, especially at 25 °C, biologically-mediated Fe(II) reduction occurred and generated alkalinity. However, in none of the wetlands, regardless of incubation temperature, was there evidence to support net biological sulfate reduction or its attendant alkalinity generation. Sulfate reduction and concurrent Fe(III) oxyhydroxide accumulation may be important in the initial stages of wetland treatment of AMD, both contributing to effective Fe retention. However, as Fe(III) oxyhydroxides accumulate over time, Fe(III) reduction could lead not only to decreased Fe retention, but also to the potential net release of Fe from the wetland.     

Microbial contamination of alluvial gravel aquifers by septic tank effluent

The effects of two methods of septic tank effluent disposal on the microbial quality of alluvial gravel aquifers were investigated at an experimental site in the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand. The movement of faecal coliform bacteria 9 m from a 5.5 m deep soakage pit into an unconfined aquifer, and 42 m from an 18 m deep injection bore into a confined aquifer was recorded. Partial sealing of the soakage pit sidewalls was evident, but approximately 80% of the effluent appeared to percolate rapidly into the unconfined groundwater through a permeable pathway in the unsaturated zone. There was evidence of groundwater mounding beneath the soakage pit and around the injection bore and the consequent radial spread of leachate from both disposal structures. In both the confined and unconfined aquifers, the most heavily contaminated bores exhibited marked diurnal fluctuations in faecal coliform concentrations in response to periods of effluent discharge. First arrival velocities of a rifampycin-resistantEscherichia coli tracer of approximately 15 m day^?1 in the unconfined groundwater and 151 m day^?1 in the confined groundwater were recorded. Implications of the findings for the monitoring and management of groundwater quality beneath unsewered communities on alluvial gravel formations are briefly discussed.     

Study of a Novel Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland System with Drop Aeration for Rural Wastewater Treatment

Constructed wetlands are recognized as a reliable technology for rural wastewater treatment. However, conventional constructed wetlands face problems with low pollutant removal efficiency and limited oxygen transfer capability. Therefore, a novel vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) system with drop aeration was developed in this study. Two pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands of 0.75 m² each were constructed with the same dimensions and configuration but different media, one of which (named as CW₁) was filled with a 1:1 mixture (by weight) of zeolite and dolomite and the other (named as CW₂) with the same zeolite only. The oxygen transfer capability of a multilevel two-layer drop aeration device, organics and nitrogen removal of CW₁ and CW₂, and pollutant distribution along the depths of CW₁ and CW₂ in different operational phases were studied. The results demonstrated that compared with the direct drop aeration process, the multilevel, two-layer drop aeration device supplied 2–6 mg/L higher dissolved oxygen per meter of drop height, and after installation of the six-level, two-layer drop aeration devices, the 5-day biochemical oxygen demand removal load was improved from 8.1 to 14.2 g m⁻² day⁻¹ for CW₁. With regard to the different filter media, nitrogen removal was improved by the adsorption of zeolite in the first year, with 5–36% higher NH₄⁺–N removal efficiency of CW₂ compared with that in CW₁. Since it did not have a significant positive effect on phosphate removal, dolomite can be replaced by zeolite. The chemical oxygen demand removal mainly took place in the upper 15-cm filter layer in different operational phases, while nitrogen distribution along the depths of the VFCWs was different in different operational phases. In addition, as no operational problems occurred, the vertical flow constructed wetland system with drop aeration is an appropriate alternative for rural wastewater treatment, with numerous advantages of low capital and operation costs, no energy consumption, easy maintenance, high hydraulic loading rate, high pollutant removal efficiency, and no clogging.     

Degradation and sorption of commonly detected PPCPs in wetland sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Purpose

Wetlands are a popular tool to treat/polish wastewater by reducing nutrient loading into the environment. In addition to nutrients, organic contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), are commonly detected in treated wastewater. Treatment wetlands may reduce concentrations of PPCPs before the treated effluent enters rivers and streams. Oxygen status may greatly affect the attenuation of PPCPs in wetland sediments by influencing microbial makeup and activity. An understanding of the effect of redox conditions on the degradation of PPCPs and the factors influencing PPCP sorption to wetland sediments is needed to maximize PPCP removal in treatment wetlands.

Materials and methods

Three wetland sediments from the San Diego Creek and Newport Bay watershed in Southern California, USA, were incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions to assess the degradation of several regularly occurring PPCPs and their phase distribution as a function of time.

Results and discussion

Under aerobic conditions, ibuprofen, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), and gemfibrozil generally had half-life values around 20?days, while the half-life of carbamazepine was substantially longer (between 165 and 264?days). The anaerobic half-lives of gemfibrozil and ibuprofen increased by factors of 11?C34 and carbamazepine increased by factors of 1.5?C2.5. There was no detectable anaerobic degradation of DEET. The apparent phase distribution coefficient increased over time for DEET, carbamazepine and gemfibrozil, indicating that sorption of PPCPs to wetland sediments may be more limited than that predicted using equilibrium sorption coefficient values.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the capacity of wetland sediments for degrading and sorbing PPCPs is vital to the design of treatment wetlands. Degradation of the selected PPCPs was enhanced under aerobic conditions as compared to anaerobic conditions. Sorption to sediments increased with contact time, indicating that longer hydraulic retention will increase wetland capabilities for removing PPCPs.     

基于遥感的郑州市黄河湿地植被覆盖度变化研究

城市滨河湿地的治理与保护对于城市生态环境具有重要意义,而监测植被覆盖度是研究湿地植被状况的重要方法。以郑州市黄河湿地为研究对象,采用等密度模型,基于1999-2011年的郑州市黄河湿地TM遥感影像,进行湿地植被覆盖度的反演,并结合降水数据和实际调研情况,分析了郑州市黄河湿地植被覆盖度的变化情况。结果表明,郑州市黄河湿地生态环境比较脆弱,研究期内平均植被盖度由60%下降到40%,典型黄河湿地植被遭到破坏。年降水的差异对植被覆盖度影响明显,同时越来越多的人类活动是导致植被持续减少的重要因子。该研究结果可为制定区域生态修复规划,提高黄河湿地的生态价值和经济价值服务提供参考。