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Gravel Bed Hydroponic Systems Used for Secondary and Tertiary Treatment of Sewage Effluent
Author(s) -
BUTLER J. E.,
LOVERIDGE R. F.,
FORD M. G.,
BONE D. A.,
ASHWORTH R. F.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-6593.1990.tb01390.x
Subject(s) - effluent , sewage treatment , environmental science , phragmites , sewage , biochemical oxygen demand , temperate climate , environmental engineering , chemical oxygen demand , waste management , ecology , wetland , biology , engineering
Gravel bed hydroponic (GBH) systems planted with emergent hydrophytes, such as Phragmites australis (the common reed), treat domestic sewage effluents to acceptable environmental standards in an economic and efficient manner. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammonia, and coliform bacteria can be reduced by over 90% and dissolved oxygen (DO) substantially increased. In temperate zones, such as Europe, GBH systems can be used to replace conventional small rural treatment works, and for tertiary treatment of final effluents. In tropical and arid zones, GBH systems can provide locally‐managed, cost‐effective alternatives to hightechnology systems which are inappropriate for use in developing countries. Portsmouth Polytechnic reed‐bed sewage treatment GBH projects in the UK and Egypt are discussed and current progress is assessed.