Abstract
The object of this study was to investigate the effect of saturated zone depth (SZD) and plant on the removal of organics and nitrogen in four continuous-feed vertical flow-constructed wetlands (VFCWs). Three VFCWs were planted with Iris pseudacorus and operated at different SZDs (19, 51, and 84 cm), and the other one was non-planted and operated at 51 cm SZD. The VFCWs were operated with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 79 g chemical oxygen demand (COD) m−2 day−1, a total nitrogen loading rate (NLR) of 11 g N m−2 day−1, and a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.35 m3 m−2 day−1. Simultaneous transformation of ammonium and nitrate occurred in all of the four systems. In the planted bed with 51 cm SZD, suitable conditions for nitrification and denitrification could be created and the best performance for total nitrogen (TN) removal was realized via simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND), achieving TN removal efficiency of 67.4–80.3%. Higher ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and COD removal efficiency was obtained in the system operated with 19 cm SZD, whereas higher NO3−-N removal could be achieved in the bed with 84 cm SZD. With the same SZD of 51 cm, the planted VFCW performed preferable removal of COD, NH4+-N, and TN in comparison with the non-planted one. All the VFCWs showed high removal efficiencies for total phosphorus (> 60.15%). Adsorption of phosphorus was primarily observed in the top and upper-middle layers filled with carbon burn slag. It has been proved that the partially saturated VFCW operated with continuous feed could achieve good performance in removal of organic matter and nitrogen by SZD adjustment to develop appropriate aerobic and anoxic regions.
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 7:803–814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2015.12.002
Abou-Elela SI, Golinielli G, Abou-Taleb EM, Hellal MS (2013) Municipal wastewater treatment in horizontal and vertical flows constructed wetlands. Ecol Eng 61:460–468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.10.010
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 29:173–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.06.013
Ali M, Rousseau DPL, Ahmed S (2018) A full-scale comparison of two hybrid constructed wetlands treating domestic wastewater in Pakistan. J Environ Manag 210:349–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.01.040
Button M, Nivala J, Weber KP, Aubron T, Müller RA (2015) Microbial community metabolic function in subsurface flow constructed wetlands of different designs. Ecol Eng 80:162–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.09.073
Chang J, Wu S, Dai Y, Liang W, Wu Z (2013) Nitrogen removal from nitrate-laden wastewater by integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland systems. Ecol Eng 58:192–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.06.039
Chang Y, Wu S, Zhang T, Mazur R, Pang C, Dong R (2014) Dynamics of nitrogen transformation depending on different operational strategies in laboratory-scale tidal flow constructed wetlands. Sci Total Environ 487:49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.114
Chinese NEPA (2002) Water and wastewater monitoring methods. Chinese Environmental Science Publishing House, Beijing
Cui L, Zhu X, Ma M, Ouyang Y, Dong M, Zhu W, Luo S (2008) Phosphorus sorption capacities and physicochemical properties of nine substrate materials for constructed wetland. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 55:210–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-007-9109-y
Cui L, Ouyang Y, Lou Q, Yang F, Chen Y, Zhu W, Luo S (2010) Removal of nutrients from wastewater with Canna indica L. under different vertical-flow constructed wetland conditions. Ecol Eng 36:1083–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.04.026
Ding Y, Wang W, Song X, Wang Y (2014) Spatial distribution characteristics of environmental parameters and nitrogenous compounds in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland treating high nitrogen-content wastewater. Ecol Eng 70:446–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.06.008
Dong Z, Sun T (2007) A potential new process for improving nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands-promoting coexistence of partial-nitrification and ANAMMOX. Ecol Eng 31:69–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2007.04.009
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
Hantush M, Kalin L, Isik S, Yucekaya A (2013) Nutrient dynamics in flooded wetlands. I: model development. J Hydrol Eng 18(12):1709–1723. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000741
Hu Y, He F, Ma L, Zhang Y, Wu Z (2016) Microbial nitrogen removal pathways in integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland systems. Bioresour Technol 207:339–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.106
Hu Y, Zhao Y, Rymszewicz A (2014) Robust biological nitrogen removal by creating multiple tides in a single bed tidal flow constructed wetland. Sci Total Environ 470–471:1197–1204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.100
Huang J, Cai W, Zhong Q, Wang S (2013) Influence of temperature on micro-environment, plant eco-physiology and nitrogen removal effect in subsurface flow constructed wetland. Ecol Eng 60:242–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.07.023
Huang M, Wang Z, Qi R (2017) Enhancement of the complete autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite process in a modified single-stage subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland: effect of saturated zone depth. Bioresour Technol 233:191–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.02.100
Ilyas H, Masih I (2017) Intensification of constructed wetlands for land area reduction: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:12081–12091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8740-z
Jia W, Zhang J, Wu J, Xie H, Zhang B (2010) Effect of intermittent operation on contaminant removal and plant growth in vertical flow constructed wetlands: a microcosm experiment. Desalination 262:202–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2010.06.012
Kim B, Gautier M, Palma GO, Molle P, Michel P, Gourdon R (2015a) Pilot-scale study of vertical flow constructed wetland combined with trickling filter and ferric chloride coagulation: influence of irregular operational conditions. Water Sci Technol 71:1088–1096. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2015.077
Kim B, Gautier M, Prost-Boucle S, Molle P, Michel P, Gourdon R (2014) Performance evaluation of partially saturated vertical-flow constructed wetland with trickling filter and chemical precipitation for domestic and winery wastewaters treatment. Ecol Eng 71:41–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.07.045
Kim B, Gautier M, Molle P, Michel P, Gourdon R (2015b) Influence of the water saturation level on phosphorus retention and treatment performances of vertical flow constructed wetland combined with trickling filter and FeCl3 injection. Ecol Eng 80:53–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.09.097
Korkusuz EA, Beklioğlu M, Demirer GN (2005) Comparison of the treatment performances of blast furnace slag-based and gravel-based vertical flow wetlands operated identically for domestic wastewater treatment in Turkey. Ecol Eng 24:187–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2004.10.002
Kotti IP, Gikas GD, Tsihrintzis VA (2010) Effect of operational and design parameters on removal efficiency of pilot-scale FWS constructed wetlands and comparison with HSF systems. Ecol Eng 36:862–875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2010.03.002
Lavrova S, Koumanova B (2010) Influence of recirculation in a lab-scale vertical flow constructed wetland on the treatment efficiency of landfill leachate. Bioresour Technol 101:1756–1761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2009.10.028
Li H, Tao W (2017) Efficient ammonia removal in recirculating vertical flow constructed wetlands: complementary roles of anammox and denitrification in simultaneous nitritation, anammox and denitrification process. Chem Eng J 317:972–979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.02.143
Liu J, Yi N, Wang S, Lu L, Huang X (2016) Impact of plant species on spatial distribution of metabolic potential and functional diversity of microbial communities in a constructed wetland treating aquaculture wastewater. Ecol Eng 94:564–573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.06.106
Liu L, Zhao X, Zhao N, Shen Z, Wang M, Guo Y, Xu Y (2013) Effect of aeration modes and influent COD/N ratios on the nitrogen removal performance of vertical flow constructed wetland. Ecol Eng 57:10–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.04.019
Liu X, Huang S, Tang T, Liu X, Scholz M (2012) Growth characteristics and nutrient removal capability of plants in subsurface vertical flow constructed wetlands. Ecol Eng 44:189–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.03.011
Meng P, Pei H, Hu W, Shao Y, Li Z (2014) How to increase microbial degradation in constructed wetlands: influencing factors and improvement measures. Bioresour Technol 157:316–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.01.095
Moustafa MZ, White JR, Coghlan CC, Reddy KR (2012) Influence of hydropattern and vegetation on phosphorus reduction in a constructed wetland under high and low mass loading rates. Ecol Eng 42:134–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.01.028
Nivala J, Wallace S, Headley T, Kassa K, Brix H, Afferden MV, Müller R (2013) Oxygen transfer and consumption in subsurface flow treatment wetlands. Ecol Eng 61:544–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2012.08.028
Ong SA, Uchiyama K, Inadama D, Ishida Y, Yamagiwa K (2010) Performance evaluation of laboratory scale up-flow constructed wetlands with different designs and emergent plants. Bioresour Technol 101:7239–7244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2010.04.032
Pelissari C, Ávila C, Trein CM, García J, Armas RD, Sezerino PH (2017) Nitrogen transforming bacteria within a full-scale partially saturated vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland treating urban wastewater. Sci Total Environ 574:390–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.207
Pelissari C, Guivernau M, Vinas M, García J, Velasco-Galilea M, Souza SS, Sezerino PH, Avila C (2018) Effects of partially saturated conditions on the metabolically active microbiome and on nitrogen removal in vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands. Water Res 141:185–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.002
Petitjean A, Forquet N, Wanko A, Laurent J, Molle P, Mosé R, Sadowski A (2012) Modelling aerobic biodegradation in vertical flow sand filters: impact of operational considerations on oxygen transfer and bacterial activity. Water Res 46:2270–2280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.01.054
Prigent S, Paing J, Andres Y, Chazarenc F (2013) Effects of a saturated layer and recirculation on nitrogen treatment performances of a single stage vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW). Water Sci Technol 68:1461–1467. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2013.359
Saeed T, Sun G (2012) A review on nitrogen and organics removal mechanisms in subsurface flow constructed wetlands: dependency on environmental parameters, operating conditions and supporting media. J Environ Manag 112:429–448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.08.011
Sgroi M, Pelissari C, Roccaro P, Sezerino PH, García J, Vagliasindi FGA, Ávila C (2018) Removal of organic carbon, nitrogen, emerging contaminants and fluorescing organic matter in different constructed wetland configurations. Chem Eng J 332(2018):619–627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.09.122
Silveira DD, Belli Filho P, Philippi LS, Kim B, Molle P (2015) Influence of partial saturation on total nitrogen removal in a single-stage French constructed wetland treating raw domestic wastewater. Ecol Eng 77:257–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.01.040
Torrijos V, Ruiz I, Soto M (2017) Effect of step-feeding on the performance of lab-scale columns simulating vertical flow-horizontal flow constructed wetlands. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9925-1
Vymazal J (2011) Plants used in constructed wetlands with horizontal subsurface flow: a review. Hydrobiologia 674:133–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0738-9
Vymazal J (2013) The use of hybrid constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment with special attention to nitrogen removal: a review of a recent development. Water Res 47:4795–4811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.05.029
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
Wu H, Fan J, Zhang J, Ngo HH, Guo W, Hu Z, Lv J (2016) Optimization of organics and nitrogen removal in intermittently aerated vertical flow constructed wetlands: effects of aeration time and aeration rate. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 113:139–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.04.031
Xu Z, Du X, Wang S (2009) Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in non-planted pilot-scale modified vertical flow constructed wetland system. Can J Civ Eng 36:850–858. https://doi.org/10.1139/S08-058
Zhang D, Gersberg RM, Keat TS (2009) Constructed wetlands in China. Ecol Eng 35:1367–1378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.07.007
Zhang DQ, Gersberg RM, Zhu J, Hua T, Jinadasa KBSN,Tan SK (2012) Batch versus continuous feeding strategies for pharmaceutical removal by subsurface flow constructed wetland. Environ Pollut 167:124–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2012.04.004
Funding
The work was funded by the Special Grand National Science and Technology Project of China for Water Pollution Control and Treatment (No. 2014ZX07203-008) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51178437).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, G., She, Z., Gao, M. et al. Influence of saturated zone depth and vegetation on the performance of vertical flow-constructed wetland with continuous feeding. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 33286–33297 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3288-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3288-0