Distribution coefficients of nitrogen pollutants between water and sediment and their environmental risks in Lingang hybrid constructed wetland fed by industrial tailwater, Tianjin, China.

Abstract

Exploring the fate of nitrogen pollutants in constructed wetlands (CWs) fed by industrial tailwater is significant to strengthen its pollution control and promoting the development of CWs in the field of micro-polluted water treatment. In this study, the distribution coefficients and the environmental risks of nitrogen pollutants between water and sediment of the hybrid CW in Tianjin were systematically investigated. From a spatial perspective, the nitrogen pollutants could be removed in this hybrid CW, and subsurface flow wetland played a key role in nitrogen pollutant removal. From a temporal perspective, the concentration of nitrogen pollutants was largely affected by the dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature. The distribution coefficient of nitrogen pollutants between water and sediment was further clarified, suggesting that NH4+-N was more likely to be enriched in sediments due to microbial process. The overall level of pollution in hybrid CW was moderate according to the nutritional pollution index (NPI) analysis. The risk assessment indicated that timely dredging control measures should be considered to maintain the performance of hybrid CW.