Abstract
Constructed wetland is a proven technology for water pollution removal, but process mechanisms and their respective contribution are not fully understood. The present review details the effect of plants on removal efficiency of constructed wetlands by focusing on literature that includes experiments with unplanted controls for organic carbon and nutrient (N and P) removal. The contribution of plant direct uptake is also assessed. Although it was found that several studies, mostly at laboratory or pilot scales, showed no statistical differences between planted and unplanted controls, some factors were found that help maximize the effect of plants. This study intends to contribute to a better understanding of the significance of the effect of plants in a constructed wetland, as well as to suggest a set of experimental guidelines in this field.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdelhakeem SG, Aboulroos SA, Kamel MM (2016) Performance of a vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland under different operational conditions. J Adv Res 7(5):803–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.12.002
Akratos CS, Tsihrintzis VA (2007) Effect of temperature, HRT, vegetation and porous media on removal efficiency of pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Ecol Eng 29(2):173–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.06.013
Arunbabu V, Sruthy S, Antony I, Ramasamy EV (2015) Sustainable greywater management with Axonopus compressus (broadleaf carpet grass) planted in sub surface flow constructed wetlands. J Water Process Eng 7:153–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2015.06.004
Bateganya NL, Kazibwe A, Langergraber G, Okot-Okumu J, Hein T (2015) Performance of subsurface flow constructed wetland mesocosms in enhancing nutrient removal from municipal wastewater in warm tropical environments. Environ Technol 37:1–15
Březinová T, Vymazal J (2015) Seasonal growth pattern of Phalaris arundinacea in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow. Ecol Eng 80:62–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.07.057
Briner W, Kirwan J (2017) Experimental toxicology: issues of statistics, experimental design, and replication. Neurotoxicology 58:137–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2016.11.002
Brisson J, Chazarenc F (2009) Maximizing pollutant removal in constructed wetlands: should we pay more attention to macrophyte species selection? Sci Total Environ 407(13):3923–3930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.05.047
Calheiros CSC, Rangel AOSS, Castro PML (2007) Constructed wetland systems vegetated with different plants applied to the treatment of tannery wastewater. Water Res 41(8):1790–1798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.01.012
Calheiros CSC, Quitério PVB, Silva G, Crispim LFC, Brix H, Moura SC, Castro PML (2012) Use of constructed wetland systems with Arundo and Sarcocornia for polishing high salinity tannery wastewater. J Environ Manag 95(1):66–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.10.003
Camacho JV, Martínez ADL, Gómez RG, Sanz JM (2007) A comparative study of five horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands using different plant species for domestic wastewater treatment. Environ Technol 28(12):1333–1343. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593332808618897
Ciria MP, Solano ML, Soriano P (2005) Role of macrophyte Typha latifolia in a constructed wetland for wastewater treatment and assessment of its potential as a biomass fuel. Biosyst Eng 92(4):535–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2005.08.007
Coleman J, Hench K, Garbutt K, Sexstone A, Bissonnette G, Skousen J (2001) Treatment of domestic wastewater by three plant species in constructed wetlands. Water Air Soil Pollut 128(3/4):283–295. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010336703606
Cui L, Ouyang Y, Yang W, Huang Z, Xu Q, Yu G (2015) Removal of nutrients from septic tank effluent with baffle subsurface-flow constructed wetlands. J Environ Manag 153:33–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.01.035
Fia R, Boas RBV, Campos AT, Fia FRL, Souza EGD (2014) Removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, copper and zinc from swine breeding waste water by bermudagrass and cattail in constructed wetland systems. Engenharia Agrícola 34(1):112–113. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-69162014000100013
Gao J, Wang W, Guo X, Zhu S, Chen S, Zhang R (2014) Nutrient removal capability and growth characteristics of Iris sibirica in subsurface vertical flow constructed wetlands in winter. Ecol Eng 70:351–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.06.006
Gao F, Yang Z-H, Li C, Jin W-H (2015) Saline domestic sewage treatment in constructed wetlands: study of plant selection and treatment characteristics. Desalin Water Treat 53(3):593–602. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.848673
Idris SM, Jones PL, Salzman SA, Croatto G, Allinson G (2012) Evaluation of the giant reed (Arundo donax) in horizontal subsurface flow wetlands for the treatment of dairy processing factory wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19(8):3525–3537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-0914-0
Jesus JM, Calheiros CSC, Castro PML, Borges MT (2014) Feasibility of Typha latifolia for high salinity effluent treatment in constructed wetlands for integration in resource management systems. Int J Phytoremediat 16(4):334–346. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2013.773284
Jiang FY, Chen X, Luo AC (2011) A comparative study on the growth and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake characteristics of 15 wetland species. Chem Ecol 27(3):263–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/02757540.2011.561788
Jinadasa KBSN, Tanaka N, Sasikala S, Werellagama DRIB, Mowjood MIM, Ng WJ (2008) Impact of harvesting on constructed wetlands performance—a comparison between Scirpus grossus and Typha angustifolia. J Environ Sci Health A 43(6):664–671. https://doi.org/10.1080/10934520801893808
Karathanasis AD, Potter CL, Coyne MS (2003) Vegetation effects on fecal bacteria, BOD, and suspended solid removal in constructed wetlands treating domestic wastewater. Ecol Eng 20(2):157–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-8574(03)00011-9
Kaseva ME (2004) Performance of a sub-surface flow constructed wetland in polishing pre-treated wastewater—a tropical case study. Water Res 38(3):681–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2003.10.041
Keizer-Vlek HE, Verdonschot PFM, Verdonschot RCM, Dekkers D (2014) The contribution of plant uptake to nutrient removal by floating treatment wetlands. Ecol Eng 73:684–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.09.081
Klomjek P, Nitisoravut S (2005) Constructed treatment wetland: a study of eight plant species under saline conditions. Chemosphere 58(5):585–593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.08.073
Kyambadde J, Kansiime F, Dalhammar G (2005) Nitrogen and phosphorus removal in substrate-free pilot constructed wetlands with horizontal surface flow in Uganda. Water Air Soil Pollut 165(1-4):37–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-005-4643-6
Lee B-H, Scholz M (2007) What is the role of Phragmites australis in experimental constructed wetland filters treating urban runoff? Ecol Eng 29(1):87–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.08.001
Madera-Parra CA, Peña-Salamanca EJ, Peña MR, Rousseau DPL, Lens PNL (2015) Phytoremediation of landfill leachate with Colocasia esculenta, Gynerum sagittatum and Heliconia psittacorum in constructed wetlands. Int J Phytoremediat 17(1):16–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2013.828014
Marchand L, Nsanganwimana F, Oustrière N, Grebenshchykova Z, Lizama-Allende K, Mench M (2014) Copper removal from water using a bio-rack system either unplanted or planted with Phragmites australis, Juncus articulatus and Phalaris arundinacea. Ecol Eng 64:291–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.12.017
Mbuligwe SE (2004) Comparative effectiveness of engineered wetland systems in the treatment of anaerobically pre-treated domestic wastewater. Ecol Eng 23(4-5):269–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2004.09.009
Meng P, Hu W, Pei H, Hou Q, Ji Y (2014) Effect of different plant species on nutrient removal and rhizospheric microorganisms distribution in horizontal-flow constructed wetlands. Environ Technol 35(7):808–816. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2013.852626
Molle P, Prost-Boucle S, Lienard A (2008) Potential for total nitrogen removal by combining vertical flow and horizontal flow constructed wetlands: a full-scale experiment study. Ecol Eng 34(1):23–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.05.016
Mustapha HI, van Bruggen JJA, Lens PNL (2015) Vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands for polishing secondary Kaduna refinery wastewater in Nigeria. Ecol Eng 84:588–595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.09.060
Naylor S, Brlsson J, Labelle MA, Drizo A, Comeau Y (2003) Treatment of freshwater fish farm effluent using constructed wetlands: the role of plants and substrate. Water Sci Technol 48(5):215–222
Sarmento AP, Borges AC, Matos AT (2011) Evaluation of vertical-flow constructed wetlands for swine wastewater treatment. Water Air Soil Pollut 223:1065–1071
Shao Y, Pei H, Hu W, Chanway CP, Meng P, Ji Y et al (2014) Bioaugmentation in lab scale constructed wetland microcosms for treating polluted river water and domestic wastewater in northern China. Int Biodeteriorat Biodegradat 95(Part a):151–159
Sousa WTZ, Panitz CMN, Thomaz SM (2011) Performance of pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands with and without the emergent macrophyte Spartina alterniflora treating mariculture effluent. Braz Arch Biol Technol 54(2):405–413. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-89132011000200024
Stefanakis AI, Tsihrintzis VA (2012) Effects of loading, resting period, temperature, porous media, vegetation and aeration on performance of pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands. Chem Eng J 181–182:416–430
Tang X, Huang S, Scholz M, Li J (2008) Nutrient removal in pilot-scale constructed wetlands treating eutrophic river water: assessment of plants, intermittent artificial aeration and polyhedron hollow polypropylene balls. Water Air Soil Pollut 197:61–73
Taylor CR, Hook PB, Stein OR, Zabinski CA (2011) Seasonal effects of 19 plant species on COD removal in subsurface treatment wetland microcosms. Ecol Eng 37(5):703–710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.05.007
Tee H-C, Lim P-E, Seng C-E, Nawi M-AM (2012) Newly developed baffled subsurface-flow constructed wetland for the enhancement of nitrogen removal. Bioresour Technol 104:235–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2011.11.032
Toscano A, Marzo A, Milani M, Cirelli GL, Barbagallo S (2015) Comparison of removal efficiencies in Mediterranean pilot constructed wetlands vegetated with different plant species. Ecol Eng 75:155–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.12.005
Van PTH, Tin NT, Hien VTD, Quan TM, Thanh BX, Hang VT, Tuc DQ, Dan NP, Khoa LV, Phu VL, Son NT, Luong ND, Kwon E, Park C, Jung J, Yoon I, Lee S (2015) Nutrient removal by different plants in wetland roof systems treating domestic wastewater. Desalin Water Treat 54(4-5):1344–1352. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.915767
Vymazal J (2011) Plants used in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow: a review. Hydrobiologia 674(1):133–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0738-9
Vymazal J, Kröpfelová L (2008) Nitrogen and phosphorus standing stock in Phalaris arundinacea and Phragmites australis in a constructed treatment wetland: 3-year study. Arch Agron Soil Sci 54(3):297–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340701787662
Wang Y, Wang J, Zhao X, Song X, Gong J (2016) The inhibition and adaptability of four wetland plant species to high concentration of ammonia wastewater and nitrogen removal efficiency in constructed wetlands. Bioresour Technol 202:198–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2015.11.049
Weller NA, Childers DL, Turnbull L, Upham RF (2016) Aridland constructed treatment wetlands I: macrophyte productivity, community composition, and nitrogen uptake. Ecol Eng 97:649–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.05.044
Wu H, Zhang J, Li P, Zhang J, Xie H, Zhang B (2011) Nutrient removal in constructed microcosm wetlands for treating polluted river water in northern China. Ecol Eng 37(4):560–568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.11.020
Yalcuk A (2012) The macro nutrient removal efficiencies of a vertical flow constructed wetland fed with demineralized cheese whey powder solution. Int J Phytoremediat 14(2):114–127. https://doi.org/10.1080/15226514.2011.582381
Ye J, Zhang P, Song Y, Gao H, Peng J, Fang W, Zeng G (2016) Influence of operational mode, temperature, and planting on the performances of tidal flow constructed wetland. Desalin Water Treat 57(17):8007–8014. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1055310
Zhang DQ, Tan SK, Gersberg RM, Zhu J, Sadreddini S, Li Y (2012) Nutrient removal in tropical subsurface flow constructed wetlands under batch and continuous flow conditions. J Environ Manag 96(1):1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.10.009
Zhao YJ, Liu B, Zhang WG, Ouyang Y, An SQ (2010) Performance of pilot-scale vertical-flow constructed wetlands in responding to variation in influent C/N ratios of simulated urban sewage. Bioresour Technol 101(6):1693–1700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.10.002
Zheng Y, Wang XC, Ge Y, Dzakpasu M, Zhao Y, Xiong J (2015) Effects of annual harvesting on plants growth and nutrients removal in surface-flow constructed wetlands in northwestern China. Ecol Eng 83:268–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.06.035
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) for the PhD grant (FCT - DFRH - SFRH/BD/84750/2012).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jesus, J.M., Danko, A.S., Fiúza, A. et al. Effect of plants in constructed wetlands for organic carbon and nutrient removal: a review of experimental factors contributing to higher impact and suggestions for future guidelines. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 4149–4164 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0982-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0982-2