Nitrogen transformations and balance in constructed wetlands for slightly polluted river water treatment using different macrophytes

Nitrogen removal processing in different constructed wetlands treating different kinds of wastewater often varies, and the contribution to nitrogen removal by various pathways remains unclear. In this study, the seasonal nitrogen removal and transformations as well as nitrogen balance in wetland microcosms treating slightly polluted river water was investigated. The results showed that the average total nitrogen removal rates varied in different seasons. According to the mass balance approach, plant uptake removed 8.4–34.3 % of the total nitrogen input, while sediment storage and N₂O emission contributed 20.5–34.4 % and 0.6–1.9 % of nitrogen removal, respectively. However, the percentage of other nitrogen loss such as N₂ emission due to nitrification and denitrification was estimated to be 2.0–23.5 %. The results indicated that plant uptake and sediment storage were the key factors limiting nitrogen removal besides microbial processes in surface constructed wetland for treating slightly polluted river water.     

Reduction of pharmaceutically active compounds by a lagoon wetland wastewater treatment system in Southeast Louisiana

A number of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have been detected in the aquatic environment as a result of discharges of municipal wastewater. In the state of Louisiana, USA, many municipalities treat wastewater using natural systems, such as lagoons and wetlands, rather than conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Nearly all research to date has focused on the fate of PhACs in conventional treatment plants, not constructed and natural wetlands. In the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for Mandeville, Louisiana, USA, wastewater flows of 7600 m³ d⁻¹ are treated in a series of aeration lagoons (basins), followed by a constructed wetland and UV disinfection, before being discharged into a natural forested wetland (i.e. Bayou Chinchuba) and eventually, Lake Pontchartrain. Thirteen out of the 15 PhACs investigated were detected in the wastewater inflow to the treatment plant. Only 9 of the 13 compounds were above the detection limits at the treatment plant effluent. The concentrations of most compounds were reduced by greater than 90% within the plant, while carbamazepine and sotalol were only reduced by 51% and 82%, respectively. The percent reductions observed in the Mandeville system were greater than reduction rates reported for conventional WWTPs; perhaps due to the longer treatment time (30 days). Most target PhACs were not completely removed before discharge into Lake Pontchartrain, although their collective annual loading was reduced to less than 1 kg and down to ppb with significant potential for dilution in the large lake.     

Reduction of pharmaceutically active compounds by a lagoon wetland wastewater treatment system in Southeast Louisiana

A number of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have been detected in the aquatic environment as a result of discharges of municipal wastewater. In the state of Louisiana, USA, many municipalities treat wastewater using natural systems, such as lagoons and wetlands, rather than conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Nearly all research to date has focused on the fate of PhACs in conventional treatment plants, not constructed and natural wetlands. In the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for Mandeville, Louisiana, USA, wastewater flows of 7600 m³ d⁻¹ are treated in a series of aeration lagoons (basins), followed by a constructed wetland and UV disinfection, before being discharged into a natural forested wetland (i.e. Bayou Chinchuba) and eventually, Lake Pontchartrain. Thirteen out of the 15 PhACs investigated were detected in the wastewater inflow to the treatment plant. Only 9 of the 13 compounds were above the detection limits at the treatment plant effluent. The concentrations of most compounds were reduced by greater than 90% within the plant, while carbamazepine and sotalol were only reduced by 51% and 82%, respectively. The percent reductions observed in the Mandeville system were greater than reduction rates reported for conventional WWTPs; perhaps due to the longer treatment time (∼30 days). Most target PhACs were not completely removed before discharge into Lake Pontchartrain, although their collective annual loading was reduced to less than 1 kg and down to ppb with significant potential for dilution in the large lake.     

8种植物床人工湿地脱氮除磷的研究

分别以水葫芦、西洋芹、空心菜、水芹、混合种(黄菖蒲、千屈菜、再力花)、千屈菜、再力花、黄菖蒲等植物床构建潜流人工湿地,研究其对生活污水氮、磷的净化功能及其去除率与水力停留时间(HRT)的变化规律。结果表明,各种植物床对TN、TP的去除率随HRT的延长而增加,不同植物床的脱氮除磷效果是不同的。千屈菜植物床对TN的去除效果最好,HRT为3d时,TN去除率为56%;HRT为6d时,TN去除率达77%。再力花植物床对TP的去除效果最好,HRT为3d时,TP去除率达78%;HRT为6d时,TP去除率达96%。其他植物床也有较好的脱氮除磷效果。各种植物床处理后出水TN、TP均较低,HRT为3d时,出水TN均低于《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB 18918—2002)一级A标准规定的限值(15mg/L),出水TP均低于GB 18918—2002二级标准规定的限值(3mg/L);7种植物床构建的潜流人工湿地(水葫芦的数据丢失)对TN、TP的去除均满足一级反应动力学方程,且相关性显著。     

垂直流人工湿地系统对污水磷的净化效果

用煤灰渣人工土壤和风车草组成的垂直流人工湿地系统对化粪池出水中总磷和无机磷的去除率分别达到75 %— 92 %和 73%— 92 % ,其处理出水中总磷和无机磷浓度大部分低于 1mg/L ,达到了城市污水二级生化处理的二级排放标准。垂直流煤灰渣人工湿地系统对磷的去除作用主要有 :物理作用、化学吸附与沉淀作用和微生物同化作用以及植物摄取等作用 ,其对化粪池出水中总磷的去除率分别为 2 2 .8%、5 0 %— 6 5 %和 1%— 3%。     

Interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus loadings on nutrient removal from simulated wastewater using Schoenoplectus validus in wetland microcosms

The concentrations of nutrients (N and P) in the wastewater and loading rate to the constructed wetlands may influence the nutrient removal from the secondary-treated municipal wastewater using wetland plants. Three loading rates of N (low 5.7, medium 34.3 and high 103 mg N d(-1)) and two of P (low 3.4 and high 17.1 mg P d(-1)) were studied in simulated secondary-treated municipal wastewater using Schoenoplectus validus (Vahl) A. L?ve & D. L?ve in the vertical free surface-flow wetland microcosms. After 70-d growth, there were significant interactive effects of N and P on the total, above-ground and root biomass. The below-ground biomass (rhizome and root) was negatively affected by the high N treatment. The tissue concentrations of N increased with an increase in N additions and decreased with an increase in P applications, whereas the tissue concentrations of P increased with an increase in P additions and decreased with an increase in N applications at the low P treatment, but increased at the high P treatment. Significant interactive effects of N and P loadings were found for the removal efficiencies of NH(4) and P, but not that of NO(x). The plant uptake, substrate storage and other losses (e.g. denitrification and formation of organic film) had similar contribution to N removal when N loading was relatively low. The P storage by substrate was the main contribution to P removal when P loading was high, but plant uptake was the major factor responsible for P removal when P loading was low and N loading was high. The high nutrient availability and optimum ratio of N:P are required to stimulate growth of S. validus, resulting in preferential allocation of resources to the above-ground tissues and enhancing the nutrient removal efficiencies, but the high N concentration in wastewater may hamper the growth of S. validus in constructed wetlands.     

Removal of pyrene from contaminated sediments by mangrove microcosms

The potential of mangrove wetland systems to remove pyrene from surface- or bottom-contaminated sediments was investigated by microcosm studies. The performance of two mangrove plant species, Kandelia candel and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza in pyrene removal was also compared. During the six-months experimental period, the growth of both species in the surface-contaminated microcosms was not significantly different from that in the bottom-contaminated ones, and was comparable to the control (without any pyrene contamination). At the end of six-months treatment, pyrene concentrations in contaminated sediments declined from an initial 3 microg g(-1) to less than 0.4 microg g(-1), indicating that pyrene was successfully removed by mangrove microcosms. Around 96.4% and 92.8% pyrene in microcosms planted with K. candel were removed from the surface- and bottom-contaminated sediments, respectively. The removal percentages were slightly lower in microcosms planted with B. gymnorrhiza. Significant accumulation of pyrene in roots was only found in microcosms having bottom-contaminated sediments, and pyrene concentrations were 3.05 microg g(-1) and 4.50 microg g(-1) in roots of K. candel and B. gymnorrhiza, respectively. These values were much higher than that in control microcosms (without pyrene contamination, root pyrene concentrations were 0.27 microg g(-1) for K. candel and 0.34 microg g(-1) for B. gymnorrhiza) and in microcosms with contaminated sediments placed at the surface layer. Nevertheless, the overall contribution of root accumulation and plant uptake to the removal of pyrene from contaminated sediments was insignificant.     

Mitigation of chlorpyrifos runoff using constructed wetlands

Constructed wetlands have been proposed as a potential best management practice (BMP) to mitigate effects of pesticide-associated agricultural runoff. Wetland mesocosms (14 m x 59-73 m) were amended with chlorpyrifos to simulate a storm runoff event at concentrations of 73, 147 and 733 microg/l. Water, sediment and plant samples collected weekly for 12 weeks indicated that chlorpyrifos rapidly sorbed to sediment and plant material, with approximately 47-65% of measured chlorpyrifos mass retained within the first 30-36 m of wetland mesocosms. Of the measured mass, approximately 55% and 25% were retained by sediments and plants, respectively. A field-scale evaluation of a constructed wetland's mitigation capability was performed in the Lourens River watershed of Cape Town, South Africa. Results indicate that the wetland was able to retain and considerably decrease the concentration (and hence toxicity) of chlorpyrifos and suspended sediment entering the receiving waterbody (Lourens River). This research provides fundamental answers concerning constructed wetland capabilities that are necessary for constructing field-scale systems within agricultural watersheds.     

Nitrogen transformations modeling in subsurface-flow constructed wetlands.

Subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (CWs) wastewater treatment typically results in satisfactory organics removal. However, the removal of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, is often unreliable, and typically less than desired, and nitrogen transformations in wetlands systems are not well-understood. The principal objective of this study was to establish a basis for quantification of nitrogen transformations through subsurface flow CW systems. Actual performance data from a full-scale facility located near Lincoln, Nebraska, were used to calibrate a proposed nitrogen transformations model, which, in turn, was used to replicate and predict the wetlands performance. To realize this objective, a compartmental analysis technique, which uses a set of differential equations and nonlinear optimization numerical methods, was used for solving nitrogen transformation rates and for predicting wetland performance. The model satisfactorily reproduced the mean effluent concentrations for organic nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, and nitrate-nitrogen, but with lesser accuracy with respect to peak high and low effluent concentrations. Nitrogen mass balance in the wetland was used to identify likely nitrogen transformation pathways. Generally, it was found that approximately one-third of the influent nitrogen mass was removed through nitrification and denitrification, one-third was removed through vegetative assimilation, and the remainder was discharged in the wetland effluent.     

组合式水生植物净化系统对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除与生物富集特征

选取再力花、美人蕉、水烛、旱伞草、梭鱼草、慈姑、菖蒲、水葫芦和大薸9种植物作为实验植物,构建成以高效净化重金属污染水体为主要功能的组合式水生植物高效净化系统(人工湿地+生态浮床+水生植物塘3个处理单元串联而成),研究不同处理单元中水生植物对重金属Cu、Pb和Cd的去除能力及富集特征。结果表明,该净化系统经过为期60 d的连续运行,对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除率较为稳定,可分别达到Cu 93.5%~96.1%、Pb 94.5%~95.2%和Cd 95.6%~97.4%,3种重金属出水浓度均可达到GB3838-2002Ⅲ类水排放要求;其中人工湿地单元对重金属去除贡献率最高,Cu、Pb和Cd分别为54.15%、33.61%和44.84%,其次为生态浮床处理单元,Cu、Pb和Cd的去除贡献率分别为38.61%、51.42%和38.56%,而水生植物塘主要起到深度处理作用,对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除贡献率分别为7.24%、14.97%和16.6%。9种植物在系统运行期间,生长状况良好,且重金属累积量较高,尤其是生物塘系统中的水葫芦和大薸,实验期间其重金属生物富集系数(BCF)均在200以上。所选植物不同部位对3种重金属的吸收富集能力均表现为根最强。     

组合式水生植物净化系统对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除与生物富集特征

选取再力花、美人蕉、水烛、旱伞草、梭鱼草、慈姑、菖蒲、水葫芦和大藻9种植物作为实验植物，构建成以高效净化重金属污染水体为主要功能的组合式水生植物高效净化系统（人工湿地＋生态浮床＋水生植物塘3个处理单元串联而成），研究不同处理单元中水生植物对重金属Cu、Pb和cd的去除能力及富集特征。结果表明，该净化系统经过为期60d的连续运行，对Cu、Pb和Cd的去除率较为稳定，可分别达到Cu93．5％～96．1％、Ph94．5％～95．2％和Cd95．6％～97．4％，3种重金属出水浓度均可达到GB3838-2002Ⅲ类水排放要求；其中人工湿地单元对重金属去除贡献率最高，Cu、Pb和Cd分别为54．15％、33．61％和44．84％，其次为生态浮床处理单元，Cu、Pb和Cd的去除贡献率分别为38．61％、51．42％和38．56％，而水生植物塘主要起到深度处理作用，对Cu、Pb和cd的去除贡献率分别为7．24％、14．97％和16．6％。9种植物在系统运行期间，生长状况良好，且重金属累积量较高，尤其是生物塘系统中的水葫芦和大藻，实验期间其重金属生物富集系数（BCF）均在200以上。所选植物不同部位对3种重金属的吸收富集能力均表现为根最强。     

PRB强化垂直流人工湿地系统处理煤矿废水

针对常规人工湿地系统处理高浊含氮磷的有机煤矿废水不佳的问题,采用PRB与人工湿地耦合的方法,进行砂箱模拟实验研究。实验结果表明,由无烟煤、钢渣及沸石构建的PRB强化垂直流人工湿地系统对NH4+-N、PO34--P、Mn2+、COD、SS的去除率分别达到88.84%、96.08%、98.98%、85.78%和94.00%,与常规人工湿地相比,具有处理效率高、水力负荷大、占地面积小等特点,更便于运行管理。     

Examination of oxygen release from plants in constructed wetlands in different stages of wetland plant life cycle

The quantification of oxygen release by plants in different stages of wetland plant life cycle was made in this study. Results obtained from 1 year measurement in subsurface wetland microcosms demonstrated that oxygen release from Phragmites australis varied from 108.89 to 404.44 mg O₂/m²/d during the different periods from budding to dormancy. Plant species, substrate types, and culture solutions had a significant effect on the capacity of oxygen release of wetland plants. Oxygen supply by wetland plants was estimated to potentially support a removal of 300.37 mg COD/m²/d or 55.87 mg NH₄-N/m²/d. According to oxygen balance analysis, oxygen release by plants could provide 0.43–1.12 % of biochemical oxygen demand in typical subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (CWs). This demonstrates that oxygen release of plants may be a potential source for pollutants removal especially in low-loaded CWs. The results make it possible to quantify the role of plants in wastewater purification.     

垂直流人工花卉湿地模拟系统净化污水的效果

通过在垂直流模拟人工土柱上种植不同的花卉植物，研究了垂直流花卉人工湿地对污水COD、BOD5、TN和TP的净化效果的影响。结果表明，所选用的5种陆生花卉，甚至鲜切花卉对化粪池污水有比较好的净化效果，它们对BOD5的去除率可达到92．04％以上，对TP的去除率甚至可达到97．77％以上。而且种植花卉植物的人工湿地出水水质要好于不种植物的对照湿地系统。     

人工湿地系统微生物去除污染物的研究进展

人工湿地污水处理系统具有净化效果显著、建设和运行费用低廉、管理简便等优点,近年来越来越受到人们的重视。人工湿地是利用介质、植物和微生物构成的复合系统来处理污水。微生物在人工湿地系统净化污水过程中发挥着重要作用。介绍了人工湿地系统中微生物去除污染物的研究进展,重点讨论了人工湿地对污染物和特殊有机污染物的去除以及系统基质中微生物的种群和活性等内容,并结合我国研究现状展望了该领域的研究前景。人工湿地系统微生物对污染物去除将成为人工湿地生态系统服务功能评价、人工湿地生态系统健康与稳定的诊断的重要组成部分。     

Long-term efficiency and stability of wetlands for treating wastewater of a lead/zinc mine and the concurrent ecosystem development

A constructed wetland system in Guangdong Province, South of China has been used for treating Pb/Zn mine discharge since 1985. The performance in the purification of the mine discharge and the concurrent ecosystem development within the system during the period of 1985-2000 has been studied. The untreated wastewater contained rather high concentrations of cadmium (Cd) (0.05 mg L(-1)), lead (Pb) (11.5 mg L(-1)), and zinc (Zn) (14.5 mg L(-1)), which greatly exceed the upper limits for industrial wastewater discharge in China. The constructed wetland system effectively removed Cd by 94.00%, Pb by 99.04%, Zn by 97.30%, and total suspended solids (TSS) by 98.95% from the mine discharge over a long period (over 16 years) leading to significant improvement in water quality; it was also found that there were no significantly annual or monthly variations in pH values, As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations in water collected from the outlet of the wetland. Moreover, diversity and abundance of living organisms, including protozoan, higher plants, terrestrial animals, and birds, increased gradually. The 16-year monitoring results showed a reciprocal relationship, at a certain extent, between restoration of the wetland ecosystem, in other words, the maturity of the wetland, and the long-term efficiency and stability on purifying heavy metal-contaminated wastewater.     

不同类型潜流湿地处理养猪废水的对比

针对养猪废水的水质特点,在同等条件下开展了2种类型潜流湿地处理效果的对比研究。实验结果表明,水平潜流湿地(HSSF)与垂直潜流湿地(VSSF)由于结构设计的不同造成其布水方式和系统内部水力流态的不同,从而导致了两系统对养猪废水处理效果的差异;当水力负荷为0.02 m3/(m2.d)时,两系统对养猪废水中COD的平均去除率分别为93.18%和93.10%,对TN的平均去除率分别为53.44%和81.43%,对NH4+-N的平均去除率分别为52.64%和84.62%,对TP的去除率分别为88.41%和95.71%;垂直潜流湿地可充分利用填料层,可增强系统的复氧能力,还可实现填料层中好氧区、缺氧区和厌氧区的共存,使硝化作用与反硝化作用在同一系统内完成,提高了系统的脱氮能力,而且改善了养猪废水中其他污染物的去除效果。因此,结合处理效果和出水水质的稳定性,对于浓度较高的畜禽养殖废水,选择垂直潜流湿地较为合适。     

Use of halophytes in pilot-scale horizontal flow constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater

Recent findings encourage the use of halophytes in constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment due to their special physiological characteristics as the ability to accumulate heavy metals and salts in their tissues makes them ideal candidates for constructed wetland vegetation. In this particular study, we investigated the application of halophytic plants in a horizontal flow constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment purposes. The pilot plant which was situated in Crete (Greece) was planted with a polyculture of halophytes (Tamarix parviflora, Juncus acutus, Sarcocornia perrenis, and Limoniastrum monopetalum). The system’s performance was monitored for a period of 11 months during which it received primary treated wastewater from the local wastewater treatment plant. Results show that halophytes developed successfully in the constructed wetland and achieved organic matter and pathogen removal efficiencies comparable to those reported for reeds in previous works (63% and 1.6 log units, respectively). In addition, boron concentration in the effluent was reduced by 40% in comparison with the influent. Salinity as expressed by electrical conductivity did not change during the treatment, indicating that the accumulation of salts in the leaves is not able to overcome electrical conductivity increasing due to evapotranspiration. The results indicate an improvement in the treatment of domestic wastewater via the use of halophyte-planted CWs.     

高盐工业废水人工湿地处理中植物的筛选

通过人工湿地中试实验,考察了芦苇、睡莲、水葱、狭叶香蒲和宽叶香蒲水生植物单元对经生化处理的石油和精细化工工业区的工业废水中盐含量较高、氮磷营养盐含量较低和化学需氧量(COD)含量较高的废水中污染物的去除情况,研究了在植物不同生长阶段系统中COD的去除同盐度之间的关系,探讨了盐度差异对植物生长状况的影响,为确定人工湿地适合的进水盐度,达到有效去除高含盐量工业废水中有机污染物提供依据。结果表明,芦苇、睡莲和狭叶香蒲3种植物单元内高含盐量工业废水中污染物的净化效果较水葱和宽叶香蒲单元的净化效果好:前3种植物单元内COD、生化需氧量(BOD)和总磷(TP)的去除率大约在38%、55%和62%左右,而水葱和宽叶香蒲2种植物单元内COD、BOD和TP的去除率大约在30%、36%和52%左右;系统中各个单元内总氮(TN)去除率都在85%以上。在植物的不同生长阶段,人工湿地系统中氯离子浓度与COD浓度之间的相关性存在差异:植物生长初期,系统中氯离子浓度与系统中COD浓度之间无显著相关性,而在植物生长旺期和末期,两者则成正相关关系。因此,需根据植物的生长阶段调整人工湿地的进水盐度。     

芦苇和香蒲在人工湿地城市污泥处理系统中的应用

用有机玻璃材料做成模拟人工湿地,分别种植芦苇和香蒲考察2种模拟植物湿地对城市污泥干化和稳定化、污泥中营养元素和重金属去除效果,并和空白湿地对比。实验污泥取自当地污水厂二沉池,污水处理采用厌氧池加氧化沟工艺。模拟人工湿地进泥负荷为0.72 kg TS/(m2.d),进泥中TS平均含量为5.58 g/L,pH为6.80。实验期为1年,采用间歇式进泥,渗滤液月采集测样一次,湿地剩余污泥2月1次。实验结果受天气和气候影响较大,处理效果夏季好于冬季,出水水质和剩余污泥的干化及稳定效果芦苇湿地好于香蒲湿地。剩余污泥中各种重金属含量低于污泥农用标准中各重金属离子浓度要求。结果表明,人工湿地植物净化系统对城市污泥有较好的脱水和稳定化效果。