Design configurations affecting flow pattern and solids accumulation in horizontal free water and subsurface flow constructed wetlands

Impact of clogging on accumulation and stability of phosphorus in the subsurface flow constructed wetland

Substrate clogging is one of the major operation challenges of subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SSF-CWs). And the phosphorus (P) removal performance and stability of P accumulation of SSF-CWs would be varied with the development of substrate clogging. In this study, three horizontal SSF-CWs microcosms with different clogging degrees were conducted to explore the mechanism of P accumulation behavior influenced by substrate clogging. Increase in clogging degree resulted in hydraulic retention time (HRT) diminution and adsorption sites increase, which jointly led to reduced P removal efficiency at low clogging degree (L-CW), however, higher P removal efficiency was obtained as adsorption sites increase offset HRT diminution at high clogging degree (H-CW). Substrate adsorption was the primary removal pathway in all SSF-CW systems. It accounted for 77.86 ± 2.63% of the P input in the H-CW, significantly higher than the control (60.08 ± 4.79%). This was attributed to a higher proportion of Fe/Al-P accumulated on the substrate of H-CW, since clogging aggravated the anaerobic condition and promoted the generation of Fe ions. The increase in clogging degree also elevated the release risk of the accrued P in SSF-CWs, since Fe/Al-P was considered bioavailable and readily released under environmental disturbance. The obtained results provide new insights into the P transport and transformation in SSF-CWs and would be helpful to optimize substrate clogging management.

A review on the remediation of microplastics using constructed wetlands: Bibliometric, co-occurrence, current trends, and future directions

Massive prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has become one of the world's most serious environmental concerns. Human dependence on plastics has created a constant flow of MPs from different sources into natural environment, which has raised public concern regarding consequences of MPs coming into contact with the natural environment. Deploying constructed wetlands (CWs) to reduce MPs pollution is considered a promising method, however there are still barriers for breakthroughs in this technology, particularly knowledge gaps in the mechanisms affect removal process. Recognising this, we provide a comprehensive summary of current advances and theories regarding the mechanisms of occurrence in this research area. In this work, the bibliometric methods were first used to identify annual publication trends and topical topics of research interest. The selected documents were then statistically analyzed using VOSviewer and the 'bibliometrix' package in R to derive the annual productivity of countries or organizations, the most relevant affiliations, the most relevant authors, the most relevant sources, textual analysis, co-occurrence analysis, and cluster analysis of keywords. Finally, detailed information concerning the removal of MPs by CWs was summarised, covering the most common operational and design parameters (i.e., structure types, wetland plants, substrate materials, and microbial communities), to reveal how these parameters can be adjusted for more efficient MPs removal rate. Challenges and future directions were additionally proposed. It is hoped that the review will help identify current research trends, provide insight into the mechanisms of the removal process, and contribute further to the development of this important area.

Evaluation of substrate clogging in a full-scale horizontal subsurface flow treatment wetland using electrical resistivity tomography with an optimized electrode configuration

This study investigated the spatial distribution of clogging matter in a full-scale horizontal subsurface flow treatment wetland (HSSF TW) based on an electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) method, comparing the performance of two different electrode configurations (i.e., Schlumberger and Wenner arrays). The results indicated that during the draining phase, the substrate apparent resistivities of the full-scale HSSF TWs were negatively correlated with the clogging matter fraction (v/v), and a functional relationship between the two parameters was established using a first-order k-C* model. The detected clogging matter fraction (v/v) based on the Schlumberger array showed higher accuracy (linear slope = 0.900, R-squared = 0.902) than the Wenner array (linear slope = 0.685, R-squared = 0.685). Most of the severe substrate clogging in the full-scale HSSF TW occurred within a 10-m flow distance, and the distribution of the clogging matter showed different characteristics at different substrate depths. From a cross section positioned 1 m from the inlet, the average clogging matter fraction (v/v) at a 0-0.30 m depth (23.1 ± 14.9%) was significantly higher than that at a 0.30-0.80 m depth (5.0 ± 2.1%). The clogging matter at a 5-m flow distance was evenly distributed at different substrate depths. Only a few localized clogging zones were observed in the cross section at a 10-m flow distance. This study provided an accurate and feasible method for investigating the volume fraction of clogging matters containing different organic contents and demonstrates the spatial heterogeneity of clogging matter in HSSF TWs.

A curve-shift technique for the use of non-conservative organic tracers in constructed wetlands

Understanding the flow behaviour and accounting for time in constructed wetlands is necessary for the modelling and design of these systems. The addition of a tracer into the feed of a horizontal subsurface flow wetland allows the researcher to understand the flow of the fluid through the system, especially if the mass of the tracer is conserved (i.e. the mass of tracer injected is equal to the mass of tracer leaving the system). Conservative tracers, however, may pose a problem when it comes to the disposal of the effluent of the system if they are hazardous to the environment. In this study, the use of benzoate as a non-conservative degradable hydraulic tracer was investigated. The response curve of such a tracer is distorted due to its degradation within the wetland and hence the mass leaving the system is not equal to the mass injected. As a result, the typical hydraulic performance parameters obtained from tracer-response curves cannot be accurately calculated. In this paper, a curve-shift technique was developed by using a benzoate step-change curve as an input and using mathematical techniques to transform it into a conservative tracer-response curve. This was done through establishing a mathematical relationship between the retardation and hydrodynamic dispersion of benzoate and a known conservative tracer, uranine. This methodology was tested by conducting a dual tracer study using both benzoate and uranine and comparing the shifted benzoate response curve with the uranine response curve. Hydraulic parameters including mean residence time, effective volume ratio and hydraulic efficiency for each of these tracers were also compared.

Monitoring of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands for tertiary treatment of municipal wastewater

This paper explores the feasibility of the electrical resistivity (ER) method as non-invasive technique to detect dysfunctions of full-scale tertiary wastewater treatment wetlands, such as clogging, that ultimately limit the system lifetime and performance. ER measurements were carried out according to the Werner’s method on two (overloaded) horizontal subsurface wetlands (HSF-CW1 and HSF-CW2) operated in parallel since the end of 2017, while still achieving satisfactory treatment efficiencies. Layered clog-induced preferential flow pathways through the HSF-CW beds and premature deterioration of the wetland’s liner with a possible development of dead zones associated with a low/heterogeneous density of vegetation could be confirmed by analysis of ER profiles. These results suggest that the ER method is a promising and feasible technique, as simplified then adapted/adopted to local context, for better monitoring and assessment of treatment wetlands with early process failure.

Increasing ibuprofen degradation in constructed wetlands by bioaugmentation with gravel containing biofilms of an ibuprofen-degrading Sphingobium yanoikuyae

The aim of this study was to investigate the removal of ibuprofen in laboratory scale constructed wetlands. Four (planted and unplanted) laboratory-scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands were supplemented with ibuprofen in order to elucidate (i) the role of plants on ibuprofen removal and (ii) to evaluate the removal performance of a bioaugmented lab scale wetland. The planted systems showed higher ibuprofen removal efficiency than an unplanted one. The system planted with Juncus effusus was found to have a higher removal rate than the system planted with Phalaris arundinacea. The highest removal rate of ibuprofen was found after inoculation of gravel previously loaded with a newly isolated ibuprofen-degrading bacterium identified as Sphingobium yanoikuyae. This experiment showed that more than 80 days of CW community adaptation for ibuprofen treatment could be superseded by bioaugmentation with this bacterial isolate.

Study of the spatial and temporal distribution of accumulated solids in an experimental vertical-flow constructed wetland system

Clogging is the most serious problem in the operation of subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SSF CWs) and is caused by the accumulation of solids in substrates. Study of the solids accumulation process can provide a more accurate reference for the management and maintenance of SSF CWs. In this study, an experimental vertical-flow constructed wetland system was recreated in the lab, and substrates with different depth were sampled through different operation time to reveal the spatial and temporal distribution of accumulated solids. During the study, particulates mainly accumulated through adsorption along the gravel surface. Therefore, the matrix could still provide sufficient space for the particles to pass through and be intercepted or adsorbed into the system at a constant rate. At the end of the study, an increasing number of large particles had been intercepted and were accumulated in the 0-2cm layer of the matrix, indicating a significant decrease in the pore diameter at the top substrate layer. The spatial and temporal accumulation of substrate particulates during the study period was accurately simulated by first-order kinetics models, and the simulated results were in good agreement with measured values.

New approaches to enhance pollutant removal in artificially aerated wastewater treatment systems

Freshwater ecosystems sustain human society through the provision of a range of services. However, the status of these ecosystems is threatened by a multitude of pressures, including point sources of wastewater. Future treatment of wastewater will increasingly require new forms of decentralised infrastructure. The research reported here sought to enhance pollutant removal within a novel wastewater treatment technology, based on un-planted, artificially aerated, horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands. The potential for these systems to treat de-icer contaminated runoff from airports, a source of wastewater that is likely to grow in importance alongside the expansion of air travel and under future climate scenarios, was evaluated. A new configuration for the delivery of air to aerated treatment systems was developed and tested, based on a phased-aeration approach. This new aeration approach significantly improved pollutant removal efficiency compared to alternative aeration configurations, achieving >90% removal of influent load for COD, BOD₅ and TOC. Optimised operating conditions under phased aeration were also determined. Based on a hydraulic retention time of 1.5 d and a pollutant mass loading rate of 0.10 kg d^-1 m^-2 BOD₅, >95% BOD₅ removal, alongside final effluent BOD₅ concentrations <21 mg L^-1, could be achieved from an influent characterised by a BOD₅ concentration > 800 mg L^-1. Key controls on oxygen transfer efficiency within the aerated treatment system were also determined, revealing that standard oxygen transfer efficiency was inversely related to aeration rate between 1 L and 3 L min^-1 and positively related to bed media depth between 1500 mm and 3000 mm. The research reported here highlights the potential for optimisation and subsequent widespread application of the aerated wetland technology, in order to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems and the services that they provide to human society.

Life cycle assessment of constructed wetland systems for wastewater treatment coupled with microbial fuel cells

The aim of this study was to assess the environmental impact of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) implemented in constructed wetlands (CWs). To this aim a life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out comparing three scenarios: 1) a conventional CW system (without MFC implementation); 2) a CW system coupled with a gravel-based anode MFC, and 3) a CW system coupled with a graphite-based anode MFC. All systems served a population equivalent of 1500 p.e. They were designed to meet the same effluent quality. Since MFCs implemented in CWs improve treatment efficiency, the CWs coupled with MFCs had lower specific area requirement compared to the conventional CW system. The functional unit was 1m³ of wastewater. The LCA was performed with the software SimaPro® 8, using the CML-IA baseline method. The three scenarios considered showed similar environmental performance in all the categories considered, with the exception of Abiotic Depletion Potential. In this impact category, the potential environmental impact of the CW system coupled with a gravel-based anode MFC was around 2 times higher than that generated by the conventional CW system and the CW system coupled with a graphite-based anode MFC. It was attributed to the large amount of less environmentally friendly materials (e.g. metals, graphite) for MFCs implementation, especially in the case of gravel-based anode MFCs. Therefore, the CW system coupled with graphite-based anode MFC appeared as the most environmentally friendly solution which can replace conventional CWs reducing system footprint by up to 20%. An economic assessment showed that this system was around 1.5 times more expensive than the conventional CW system.

Clogging development and hydraulic performance of the horizontal subsurface flow stormwater constructed wetlands: a laboratory study

The horizontal subsurface constructed wetland (HSSF CW) is a highly effective technique for stormwater treatment. However, progressive clogging in HSSF CW is a widespread operational problem. The aim of this study was to understand the clogging development of HSSF CWs during stormwater treatment and to assess the influence of microorganisms and vegetation on the clogging. Moreover, the hydraulic performance of HSSF CWs in the process of clogging was evaluated in a tracer experiment. The results show that the HSSF CW can be divided into two sections, section I (circa 0-35 cm) and section II (circa 35-110 cm). The clogging is induced primarily by solid entrapment in section I and development of biofilm and vegetation roots in section II, respectively. The influence of vegetation and microorganisms on the clogging appears to differ in sections I and II. The tracer experiment shows that the hydraulic efficiency (λ) and the mean hydraulic retention time (t _mean) increase with the clogging development; although, the short-circuiting region (S) extends slightly. In addition, the presence of vegetation can influence the hydraulic performance of the CWs, and their impact depends on the characteristics of the roots.

Behaviour of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in constructed wetland compartments: Influent, effluent, pore water, substrate and plant roots

Seven mesocosm-scale constructed wetlands (CWs) with different design configurations, dealing with primary-treated urban wastewater, were assessed for the concentration, distribution and fate of ten pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) [ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, salicylic acid, caffeine, carbamazepine, methyl dihydrojasmonate, galaxolide and tonalide] and eight of their transformation products (TPs). Apart from influent and effluent, various CW compartments were analysed, namely, substrate, plant roots and pore water. PPCP content in pore water depended on the specific CW configuration. Macrophytes can take up PPCPs through their roots. Ibuprofen, salicylic acid, caffeine, methyl dihydrojasmonate, galaxolide and tonalide were present on the root surface with a predominance of galaxolide and caffeine in all the planted systems. Naproxen, ibuprofen, salicylic acid, methyl dihydrojasmonate, galaxolide and tonalide were uptaken by the roots. In order to better understand the removal processes, biomass measurement and biodegradability studies through the characterization of internal-external isomeric linear alkylbenzenes present on the gravel bed were performed. Three TPs namely, ibuprofen-amide, 3-ethylbenzophenone and 4-hydroxy-diclofenac were identified for the first time in wetland pore water and effluent water, which suggests de novo formation (they were not present in the influent). Conversely, O-desmethyl-naproxen was degraded through the wetland passage since it was detected in the influent but not in the subsequent treatment stages. Biodegradation pathways are therefore suggested for most of the studied PPCPs in the assessed CWs.

Can constructed wetlands treat wastewater for reuse in agriculture? Review of guidelines and examples in South Europe

South Europe is one of the areas negatively affected by climate change. Issues with water shortage are already visible, and are likely to increase. Since agriculture is the biggest freshwater consumer, it is important to find new water sources that could mitigate the climate change impact. In order to overcome problems and protect the environment, a better approach towards wastewater management is needed. That includes an increase in the volume of wastewater that is treated and a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable system where wastewater is actually considered as a resource. This study evaluates the potential of constructed wetlands (CWs) to treat domestic wastewater and produce effluent that will be suitable for reuse in agriculture. In South Europe, four countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) have national standards that regulate wastewater reuse in agriculture. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that are based on CWs in these four countries were analysed and their effluents compared with the quality needed for reuse. In general, it was found that CWs have trouble reaching the strictest standards, especially regarding microbiological parameters. However, their effluents are found to be suitable for reuse in areas that do not require water of the highest quality.

Effects of plant roots on the hydraulic performance during the clogging process in mesocosm vertical flow constructed wetlands

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant roots (Typha angustifolia roots) on the hydraulic performance during the clogging process from the perspective of time and space distributions in mesocosm vertical flow-constructed wetlands with coarse sand matrix. For this purpose, a pair of lab-scale experiments was conducted to compare planted and unplanted systems by measuring the effective porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the substrate within different operation periods. Furthermore, the flow pattern of the clogging process in the planted and unplanted wetland systems were evaluated by their hydraulic performance (e.g., mean residence time, short circuiting, volumetric efficiency, number of continuously stirred tank reactors, and hydraulic efficiency factor) in salt tracer experiments. The results showed that the flow conditions would change in different clogging stages, which indicated that plants played different roles related to time and space. In the early clogging stages, plant roots restricted the flow of water, while in the middle and later clogging stages, especially the later stage, growing roots opened new pore spaces in the substrate. The roots played an important role in affecting the hydraulic performance in the upper layer (0-30 cm) where the sand matrix had a larger root volume fraction. Finally, the causes of the controversy over plant roots' effects on clogging were discussed. The results helped further understand the effects of plant roots on hydraulic performance during the clogging process.

The Cartridge Theory: a description of the functioning of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, based on modelling results

Despite the fact that horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands have been in operation for several decades now, there is still no clear understanding of some of their most basic internal functioning patterns. To fill this knowledge gap, on this paper we present what we call "The Cartridge Theory". This theory was derived from simulation results obtained with the BIO_PORE model and explains the functioning of urban wastewater treatment wetlands based on the interaction between bacterial communities and the accumulated solids leading to clogging. In this paper we start by discussing some changes applied to the biokinetic model implemented in BIO_PORE (CWM1) so that the growth of bacterial communities is consistent with a well-known population dynamics models. This discussion, combined with simulation results for a pilot wetland system, led to the introduction of "The Cartridge Theory", which states that the granular media of horizontal subsurface flow wetlands can be assimilated to a generic cartridge which is progressively consumed (clogged) with inert solids from inlet to outlet. Simulations also revealed that bacterial communities are poorly distributed within the system and that their location is not static but changes over time, moving towards the outlet as a consequence of the progressive clogging of the granular media. According to these findings, the life-span of constructed wetlands corresponds to the time when bacterial communities are pushed as much towards the outlet that their biomass is not anymore sufficient to remove the desirable proportion of the influent pollutants.