Performance of Laboratory Scale up-Flow Constructed Wetlands for Tertiary Wastewater Treatment

This work proposes an innovative wastewater treatment system that consists of a constructed up-flow wetland where Alfa grass (stippaTenacima) is used as substrate media. Experiments were carried with a laboratory scale up-flow constructed wetlands planted with Typha latifolia. A secondary effluent from urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was used as an influent. Several water quality parameters were assessed at the inlet and outlet of a laboratory-scaled system. Mean mass removal rates of 0.66, 0.76, 0.08, 0.51, 2.49 g/m²d were achieved for ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N), total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), phosphorus (P), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively, by the tested system. The average overall removal of fecal coliform and total coliform were 40% and the system has the ability of removing high amounts of heavy metals (Cr, Cd).