Citation:
Butterworth E, Richards A, Jones M, et al., (2016) Performance of Four Full-Scale Artificially Aerated Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment. Water, Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2016, pp.1-15
Abstract:
A comparison of the performance of four full-scale aerated horizontal flow constructed
wetlands was conducted to determine the efficacy of the technology on sites receiving high and
variable ammonia loading rates not yet reported in the literature. Performance was assessed in
terms of ammonia and solids removal, hydraulic conductivity and mixing patterns. The capability of
systems to produce ammonium effluent concentrations <3 mgNH4
+
-N/L was observed across all
sites in systems receiving variable loadings between 0.1 and 13.0 gNH4
+
-N/m2 /d. Potential resilience
issues were observed in relation to response to spike loadings posited to be due to an insufficient
nitrifying population within the beds. Hydraulic conductivity and flow mixing patterns observed
suggested deterioration of the reactor effective volume over time. Overall, the study demonstrates
the efficacy of the technology where ammonium removal is required on small sites receiving high
and variable flow rates, with adequate removal of organics and solids, but no significant benefit to
the long term hydraulics of the system.
