Constructed wetland systems vegetated with different plants applied to the treatment of tannery wastewater

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2007

Authors

Calheiros, CSC (Author) Other; Rangel, AOSS (Author) Other; Castro, PML (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Water Research

Vol. 41

Pages: 1790-1798

ISSN: 0043-1354

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 157 Citations

Scopus - 111 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-B3A

DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.01.012

Abstract (EN): Wastewaters from leather processing are very complex and lead to water pollution if discharged untreated, especially due to its high organic loading. In this study the survival of different plant species in subsurface horizontal flow constructed wetlands receiving tannery wastewater was investigated. Five pilot units were vegetated with Carina indica, Typha latifolia, Phragmites australis, Stenotaphrum secundatum and iris pseudacorus, and a sixth unit was left as an unvegetated control. The treatment performance of the systems under two different hydraulic loading rates, 3 and 6 cm d(-1), was assessed. COD was reduced by 41-73% for an inlet organic loading varying between 332 and 1602 kg ha(-1) d(-1) and BOD5 was reduced by 41-58% for an inlet organic loading varying between 218 and 780kg ha(-1) d(-1). Nutrient removal occurred to lower extents. Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia were the only plants that were able to establish successfully Despite the high removal of organic content from the influent wastewater, during 17 months of operation, no significant differences in performance were observed between units.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9