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Effect of Operational and Design Parameters on Performance of Pilot-Scale Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Treating University Campus Wastewater

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Abstract

Vertical flow constructed wetlands (VF-CWs) are very popular wastewater treatment systems that can receive and treat heavy loads of wastewater. For the needs of the present study, three VF-CWs operated for almost 3 years treating wastewater from a university campus. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the overall performance of VF-CW systems under different feeding regimes. Another objective was to investigate the influence of vegetation, temperature and seasonal variations in system performance. Finally, the produced results were compared to those of a previous study conducted in the same units and under the same operation conditions but with the use of synthetic wastewater. Results underlined the unit capacity in removal of several pollutants and their satisfying performance as a first treatment stage even though receiving high hydraulic loads. The two planted units demonstrated higher removal capacity and better performance than the unplanted one. The units appear to operate better under warmer conditions. Finally, the previous study, where synthetic wastewater was used, indicated increased removal rates compared to the current, implying that synthetic wastewater cannot fully simulate the nature and complexity of real wastewater.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ecological Engineering and Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100, Xanthi, Greece

    Vassiliki Papaevangelou & Georgios D. Gikas

  2. Centre for the Assessment of Natural Hazards and Proactive Planning & Laboratory of Reclamation Works and Water Resources Management, Department of Infrastructure and Rural Development, School of Rural and Surveying Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., Zografou, 157 80, Athens, Greece

    Vassilios A. Tsihrintzis

Authors
  1. Vassiliki Papaevangelou
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  2. Georgios D. Gikas
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  3. Vassilios A. Tsihrintzis
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Correspondence to Georgios D. Gikas.

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Papaevangelou, V., Gikas, G.D. & Tsihrintzis, V.A. Effect of Operational and Design Parameters on Performance of Pilot-Scale Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Treating University Campus Wastewater. Water Resour Manage 30, 5875–5899 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-016-1484-6

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