Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 433-442 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 24 Nov 2012 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2013 |
Abstract
This research evaluates the effect of both organic and ammonia loading rates and the presence of plants on the removal of chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands, 2 years after the start-up. Two sets of experiments were carried out in two mesocosms at different organic and ammonia loading rates (the loads were doubled); one without plants (control bed), the other colonized with Phragmites australis. Regardless of the organic loading rate, the organic mass removal rate was improved in the presence of plants (93. 4 % higher for the lower loading rate, and 56 % higher for the higher loading rate). Similar results were observed for the ammonia mass removal rate (117 % higher for the lower loading rate, and 61. 3 % higher for the higher loading rate). A significant linear relationship was observed between the organic loading rate and the respective removal rates in both beds for loads between 10 and 13 g m-2 day-1. The presence of plants markedly increase removal of organic matter and ammonia, as a result of the role of roots and rhizomes in providing oxygen for aerobic removal pathways, a higher surface area for the adhesion and development of biofilm and nitrogen uptake by roots.
Keywords
- Constructed wetlands, Lightweight expanded clay aggregates, Loading rate, Nitrogen removal, Organic matter removal, Phragmites australis, Subsurface flow
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science(all)
- Environmental Chemistry
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
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In: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 10, No. 3, 05.2013, p. 433-442.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of vegetation on the performance of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands with lightweight expanded clay aggregates
AU - Mesquita, M. C.
AU - Albuquerque, A.
AU - Amaral, L.
AU - Nogueira, R.
N1 - Funding Information: The authors wish to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, which funded the work through the project PTDC/AMB/73081/2006.
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - This research evaluates the effect of both organic and ammonia loading rates and the presence of plants on the removal of chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands, 2 years after the start-up. Two sets of experiments were carried out in two mesocosms at different organic and ammonia loading rates (the loads were doubled); one without plants (control bed), the other colonized with Phragmites australis. Regardless of the organic loading rate, the organic mass removal rate was improved in the presence of plants (93. 4 % higher for the lower loading rate, and 56 % higher for the higher loading rate). Similar results were observed for the ammonia mass removal rate (117 % higher for the lower loading rate, and 61. 3 % higher for the higher loading rate). A significant linear relationship was observed between the organic loading rate and the respective removal rates in both beds for loads between 10 and 13 g m-2 day-1. The presence of plants markedly increase removal of organic matter and ammonia, as a result of the role of roots and rhizomes in providing oxygen for aerobic removal pathways, a higher surface area for the adhesion and development of biofilm and nitrogen uptake by roots.
AB - This research evaluates the effect of both organic and ammonia loading rates and the presence of plants on the removal of chemical oxygen demand and ammonia nitrogen in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands, 2 years after the start-up. Two sets of experiments were carried out in two mesocosms at different organic and ammonia loading rates (the loads were doubled); one without plants (control bed), the other colonized with Phragmites australis. Regardless of the organic loading rate, the organic mass removal rate was improved in the presence of plants (93. 4 % higher for the lower loading rate, and 56 % higher for the higher loading rate). Similar results were observed for the ammonia mass removal rate (117 % higher for the lower loading rate, and 61. 3 % higher for the higher loading rate). A significant linear relationship was observed between the organic loading rate and the respective removal rates in both beds for loads between 10 and 13 g m-2 day-1. The presence of plants markedly increase removal of organic matter and ammonia, as a result of the role of roots and rhizomes in providing oxygen for aerobic removal pathways, a higher surface area for the adhesion and development of biofilm and nitrogen uptake by roots.
KW - Constructed wetlands
KW - Lightweight expanded clay aggregates
KW - Loading rate
KW - Nitrogen removal
KW - Organic matter removal
KW - Phragmites australis
KW - Subsurface flow
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84874837519&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s13762-012-0119-6
DO - 10.1007/s13762-012-0119-6
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84874837519
VL - 10
SP - 433
EP - 442
JO - International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
JF - International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
SN - 1735-1472
IS - 3
ER -