Performance comparison of experimental constructed wetlands with different filter media and macrophytes treating industrial wastewater contaminated with lead and copper

Miklas Scholz, Jing Xu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment efficiency of passive vertical-flow wetland filters containing different macrophytes (Phragmites and/or Typha) and granular media with different adsorption capacities. Gravel, sand, granular activated carbon, charcoal and Filtralite (light expanded clay) were used as filter media. Different concentrations of lead and copper sulfate were added to polluted urban stream inflow water to simulate pretreated mine wastewater. The relationships between growth media, microbial and plant communities as well as the reduction of predominantly lead, copper and five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) were investigated. An analysis of variance showed that concentration reductions (mg l-1) of lead, copper and BOD5 were significantly similar for the six experimental wetlands. Microbial diversity was low due to metal pollution and similar for all filters. There appears to be no additional benefit in using adsorption media and macrophytes to enhance biomass performance during the first 10 months of operation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)71-79
Number of pages9
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume83
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Algae
  • Cattail (Typha latifolia)
  • Common reed (Phragmites australis)
  • Constructed wetlands
  • Copper
  • Granular activated carbon
  • Invertebrates
  • Lead
  • Protozoa
  • Sand

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

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