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Constructed wetlands as sustainable ecotechnologies in decentralization practices: a review

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Abstract

Recently, a range of novel and cost-effective engineered wetland technologies for decentralization practices of domestic wastewater treatment have been developed with ecological process modification, the use of functionalized plants, and advanced biofilm formation. However, selecting the one that can be more appreciated for on-site sanitation is still uncertain. This paper reviews the role of plants, media materials, microorganisms, and oxygen transfer in domestic wastewater purification through constructed wetlands (CWs). The effectiveness of traditional and recently developed CWs and the necessity of an induced biofilm attachment surface (BAS) in these systems for the treatment of domestic sewage are presented. This review also elucidates the idea of CWs for domestic wastewater characteristics highly stressed by total dissolved solids and the adaptive strategies in mitigating the cold climate impacts on their efficiencies. Further research needed to enhance the stability and sustainability of CWs is highlighted. By a more advanced investigation, BAS CWs can be specified as an ideal treatment process in decentralization.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Yeungnam University Research Grant.

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  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea

    Alireza Valipour & Young-Ho Ahn

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  1. Alireza Valipour
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Correspondence to Young-Ho Ahn.

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Valipour, A., Ahn, YH. Constructed wetlands as sustainable ecotechnologies in decentralization practices: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 180–197 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5713-y

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