Constructed wetland design—the first generation

Abstract

A recent study for the U. S. EPA documented more than 150 constructed wetland systems in the United States, treating municipal and industrial wastewaters. During 1990 and 1991, visits were made to more than twenty of these sites for observations and discussions with the designers and operators. This first generation of systems demonstrates a lack of consensus on design procedures, and in many cases little regard for some of the critical factors affecting performance. This paper summarizes the results of the inventory and site visits and provides suggestions for design of the second generation of these systems. Water Environ. Res., 64, 776 (1992).

Comprehensive analysis of step-feeding strategy to enhance biological nitrogen removal in alum sludge-based tidal flow constructed wetlands

“…From the cyclic profiles (Fig. 3d), it 16 can be seen that substantial NH can make the most efficient utilization of the influent carbon source and thus can achieve maximum TN removal.…”

Phosphorus removal by wollastonite: A constructed wetland substrate

“…Constructed wetland ecosystems, offer better opportunities for wastewater treatment than natural wetlands (Verhoeven and Meuleman, 1999). In treating sewage water for small to medium sized communities, they can be used for reducing BOD and suspended solids from secondary wastewater (Reed and Brown, 1992;Kern and Idler, 1999;Verhoeven and Meuleman, 1999). P removal has been variable at best (Watson et al, 1989;Mann, 1990;Jenssen et al, 1993;Greenway and Woolley, 1999) because substrates are often selected based on local availability and particle size for reduced clogging, without consideration for their capacity for P removal (Watson et al, 1989;Mann, 1990).…”

Sources and sinks of nitrogen and phosphorus to a deep, oligotrophic lake, Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park, Washington

“…These vegetated ditches, constructed wetlands, or ponds could be considered, but with the understanding that for nutrients the uptake and conversion of nutrients delivered by runoff into plant material is a permanent solution only if the plant material is harvested and removed and the wetland or retention ponds are maintained. Studies have shown that nutrients are released upon the death and breakdown of plant materials and improperly maintained retention ponds (Reed and Brown, 1992). …”