Open AccessPHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM DOMESTIC WASTEWATER IN HORIZONTAL SUBSURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND AFTER 8 YEARS OF OPERATION – A CASE STUDY
Author(s) -
Agnieszka Karczmarczyk
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of environmental engineering and landscape management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.514
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1822-4199
pISSN - 1648-6897
DOI - 10.3846/16486897.2004.9636833
Subject(s) - clogging , subsurface flow , sorption , phosphorus , environmental engineering , sink (geography) , environmental science , wastewater , wetland , constructed wetland , suspended solids , geotechnical engineering , geology , chemistry , groundwater , adsorption , ecology , cartography , archaeology , organic chemistry , biology , geography , history
Horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands can effectively treat high levels of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids. They are also effective as phosphorus trap but usually for a short time. This phenomenon was observed in the presented case study, an example of subsurface flow reed bed filled with “improved” site soil where it was assumed that the permeability of bed would increase as a result of reed penetration. Fine grained site soil was initially effective trap for phosphorus from wastewater. However, during operation clogging of bed media proceeded and phosphorus sorption capacity used up. In general, the longevity of subsurface flow wetlands as phosphorus sinks depends on the hydraulic load, phosphorus load and the type of the media used in bed construction. To be effective as phosphorus sorbent, substrate should contain high levels of Ca, Al and Fe oxides and possess suitable sorption capacity, quick time of reaction and suitable permeability.