Influent salinity affects substrate selection in surface flow constructed wetlands

Recirculating Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands

In parts of the United States where soils are very permeable, conventional septic tank and absorption field systems are considered the largest contributor to waterborne disease and pollution of water bodies. However, an economical, recirculating vertical flow (RVF) constructed wetland, used as a pretreatment system, can significantly improve the performance of conventional onsite wastewater tre...

Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Effect of substrate heterogeneity on flow in constructed wetlands and sand filters

INTRODUCTION Horizontal flow constructed wetlands (HCWs) are engineered systems that can eliminate a wide range of pollutants from the aquatic environment (Vymazal, 2008). In their simplest form, they are large sand filters for biodegradation of through-flow waters. Their suitability to remove the organic and nutrient load from municipal and agricultural wastewaters has been largely demonstrate...

An integrated model of substrate clogging in vertical flow constructed wetlands.

This paper presents an integrated model of substrate clogging in a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW). The model simulates the reduction of pore space in the wetland substrate due to combined influences of various physical, biogeochemical and plant-related processes. A series of experiments based on laboratory-scale VFCWs were conducted to examine and measure key parameters related to clo...

Remediation in Constructed Wetlands

Constructed wetlands are in use to improve the quality of contaminated groundwaters at many sites in the USA. Target contaminants include both organic and inorganic constituents. Volatile and nonvolatile hydrocarbons are found in ground water at closed petroleum refinery sites, and in leachates from landfills. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are pollutants at many sites. Chlorinated organics o...