Analysis of constructed wetlands technology performance efficiency for the treatment of floriculture industry wastewater, in Ethiopia

Abstract

In the present study subsurface flow constructed wetlands treatments (SSFCWT) for the treatment of floriculture industry wastewater in Ethiopia was studied. The objective of the study was to assess the efficiency of SSFCWT in treating floriculture industry wastewater. Seven SSFCW was assessed for physiochemical and heavy metal removal efficiency using standard methods (APHA) and compared to its treatment efficiency. The results showed that treated water quality significantly improved from the inlet to the outlet, with TSS, TDS and TP reduced from 247 ± 0.02 to 31.66 ± 5.8, 391.67 ± 6.18 to 80.66 ± 3.86, 6.7 ± 0.92 to 2.06 ± 0.38, respectively. Similarly, NH 4+ -N, NO 3-− N, and TN, reduced from 22 ± 2.94 to 9.8 ± 1.96,73.67 ± 4.99 to 27.0 ± 7.12, and 94 ± 4.08 to 38.33 ± 4.11, respectively. The result showed that highest performance variability was observed among the studied SSFCWs. The heavy metal concentration in the influent to effluent for Pb, Cu and Mn was reduced from 0.63 ± 0.09 to 0.36 ± 0.11, 0.49 ± 0.08 to 0.18 ± 0.05 and 0.70 ± 0.07 to 0.43 ± 0.15, respectively. This assessment has proved that a significant reduction of pollutants was observed using SSFCW treatments. There is a need to encourage other floriculture industry to adopt and implement constructed wetland technology as a primary option to protect the environment and public health.