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Application of Pilot-Scale-Constructed Wetland as Tertiary Treatment System of Wastewater for Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of using a pilot-scale-constructed wetland as a tertiary system to simulate the treatment conditions of wastewater effluents from the metal-mechanical industry, aiming to achieve the Brazilian legal standards of phosphorus and nitrogen emission. The macrophytes were placed in 1 m3 polyethylene tanks, daily estimating the treatment of 2 m3 of effluents. The effluents were circulated in a horizontal subsurface flow through a porous matrix of thick sand and gravel, in which the roots of the macrophytes of the species Reed (Scirpus sp.) and Cattail (Typha sp.) were fixed. Monitoring of the pilot plant was performed through a battery of physical–chemical and biological analyses. Despite the load variations and operational problems, the system presented a positive degree of pollutant efficiency removal, especially for phosphorus (73% medium), TKN (61% medium), and NH4–N (56% medium). Peak results were achieved during the last 3 months of monitoring. The chemical analysis of the support layer, plus the root system and aerial portion of the plants, revealed that these wastes could be used as fertilizer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mining Engineering Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Ana Cristina Curia, Jair Carlos Koppe & João F. C. L. Costa

  2. Chemical Engineering Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Liliana Amaral Féris

  3. Engineering Department, Catholic University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil

    Wagner David Gerber

Authors
  1. Ana Cristina Curia
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  2. Jair Carlos Koppe
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  3. João F. C. L. Costa
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  4. Liliana Amaral Féris
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  5. Wagner David Gerber
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Correspondence to Ana Cristina Curia.

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Curia, A.C., Koppe, J.C., Costa, J.F.C.L. et al. Application of Pilot-Scale-Constructed Wetland as Tertiary Treatment System of Wastewater for Phosphorus and Nitrogen Removal. Water Air Soil Pollut 218, 131–143 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0629-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0629-0

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