Water, Air, and Soil Pollution

, Volume 202, Issue 1–4, pp 259–272 | Cite as

Seasonal Variability in Benzene Removal by Vertical-Flow Constructed Wetland Filters

  • Xianqiang Tang
  • Paul Emeka Eke
  • Miklas Scholz
  • Suiliang Huang
Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

A long-term study (April 2005 to June 2007) was conducted to assess the seasonal variability in benzene removal by experimental vertical-flow constructed wetlands planted with Phragmites australis (common reeds). The benzene removal efficiency was constant and high (90–100%) during the first year of operation. However, seasonal variability in benzene removal was apparent after January 2006. The highest and lowest benzene removal efficiencies occurred in March and December, respectively. Approximately 8 g (added to the influent every second week) of the slow-releasing N–P–K Miracle-Gro fertiliser was sufficient to treat 1,000 mg/l benzene. Results based on linear regressions indicated that the seasonal benzene removal efficiency was negatively correlated and closely linked to the seasonal effluent dissolved oxygen and NO3–N concentrations, whilst positively correlated and closely linked to the seasonal effluent pH and redox values. Temperature and effluent NH4–N and PO4 3−P concentrations were weakly linked to seasonal benzene removal efficiencies.

Keywords

Dissolved oxygen Hydrocarbon Nutrients Seasonal variability Temperature Vertical flow constructed wetland 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Mr. Xianqiang Tang received a PhD scholarship from the China Scholarship Council, National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 50479034). He is a PhD student at Nankai University as well as a visiting PhD student at The University of Edinburgh. The authors wish to acknowledge further funding received from the first and second Executive Governor of Ebonyi State (Dr. Sam Egwu), Prof. Ozo N. Ozo and from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (Nigeria) for Mr. Paul Eke’s PhD study. Dr Scholz is a Visiting Professor at Nankai University. The technical assistance of various visiting researchers and final year project students is acknowledged.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Xianqiang Tang
    • 1
  • Paul Emeka Eke
    • 2
  • Miklas Scholz
    • 2
  • Suiliang Huang
    • 1
  1. 1.Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and EngineeringNankai UniversityTianjinPeople’s Republic of China
  2. 2.Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, School of Engineering and ElectronicsThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK

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