Long-term performance of a representative integrated constructed wetland treating farmyard runoff

Mustafa, A; Scholz, M; Harrington, R; Carroll, P

Abstract

The integrated constructed wetland (ICW) system studied in this research paper was constructed
as part of a series of 15 wetland systems to improve the water quality of an entire
catchment area (Annestown Stream watershed, Ireland) dominated by farming activities.
The studied ICW comprised four cells and was used for the treatment of farmyard dirty
water from a dairy farm near Dunhill (Ireland). The performance of this system was evaluated
through physical, chemical and microbiological parameters collected for 7 years.
The removal efficiencies were relatively good if compared to the international literature:
biochemical oxygen demand (97.6%), chemical oxygen demand (94.9%), suspended solids
(93.7%), ammonia-nitrogen (99%), nitrate-nitrogen (74%) and molybdate reactive phosphorus
(91.8%).Amolecular microbiological analysis of sediment samples collected fromthe site
indicated that the number of denitrifying bacteria detected in the ICW system was higher
than the number of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. The monitored nutrient concentrations in
groundwater and surface waters indicated that this ICW system did not pollute the receiving
waters. The results showed that ICW are likely to be efficient in removing nutrients from
farmyard runoff rich in nitrogen and phosphorus.

Citation

Mustafa, A., Scholz, M., Harrington, R., & Carroll, P. (2009). Long-term performance of a representative integrated constructed wetland treating farmyard runoff. Ecological Engineering, 35(5), 779-790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Jan 30, 2012
• Journal: Ecological Engineering
• Print ISSN: 0925-8574
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 779-790
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.008
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.008