Nitrogen transformations and mass balance in an integrated constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater

Dzakpasu, M; Scholz, M; McCarthy, V; Jordan, S

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) transformations and removal in integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) are often high,
but the contributions of various pathways, including nitrification/denitrification, assimilation by
plants and sediment storage, remain unclear. This study quantified the contributions of different N
removal pathways in a typical multi-celled ICW system treating domestic wastewater. Findings
showed near complete average total N retention of circa 95% at 102.3 g m2 yr1 during the 4-year
period of operation. Variations in total N and NH4–N removal rates were associated with effluent flow
volume rates and seasons. According to the mass balance estimation, assimilation by plants and
sediment/soil storage accounted for approximately 23% and 20%, respectively, of the total N load
removal. These were the major N removal route besides microbial transformations. Thus, the
combination of plants with high biomass production offer valuable opportunities for improving ICW
performance. The retrieval and use of sequestered N in the ICW sediment/soils require coherent
management and provide innovative and valuable opportunities.

Citation

Dzakpasu, M., Scholz, M., McCarthy, V., & Jordan, S. (2014). Nitrogen transformations and mass balance in an integrated constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater. Water Science and Technology, 70(9), 1496-1502. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2014.402

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 8, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Sep 20, 2014
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Mar 16, 2015
• Journal: Water Science and Technology
• Print ISSN: 0273-1223
• Publisher: IWA Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 70
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 1496-1502
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2014.402
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2014.402
• Related Public URLs: http://www.iwaponline.com/wst/default.htm
• Additional Information: Funders : Funder not known