Improving the Treatment of Saline Wastewater from Shrimp Farms Using Hybrid Constructed Wetlands Models toward Sustainable Development

Abstract

This study investigated a feasible model for treating actual shrimp farm wastewater at a pilot scale that could be applied to farms in the Mekong Delta area. The research was carried out using a hybrid constructed wetlands (HCWs) model, which included a floating constructed wetland (FCW, total area of 1,500 m2) and a horizontal sub-surface constructed wetland (HSCW, total area of 400 m2). The HCWs were cultivated with native plants including: Scirpus littoralis Schrab, Cyperus alternifolius, and Paspalum vaginatum. These plants are all adapted to the high salinity levels of shrimp farm wastewater. The system was operated for 30 days to treat shrimp farm effluent. Results indicated that the model effectively removed organic matter and nitrogen compounds from the wastewater. The treated wastewater had low concentrations of COD (10.0-15.4 mg/L), BOD5 (7.1-12.5 mg/L), NH4+-N (0.04-1.11 mg/L), and TN (0.17-1.83 mg/L), which met the reliable conditions for reuse or safety requirements for discharge to aquatic systems. The findings of this study have significant implications for the sustainable management of shrimp farm wastewater in the Mekong Delta area. The HCWs model is a feasible and effective way to treat this type of wastewater, and it could be adapted to other regions facing similar challenges.