Abstract
Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration affects the treatment processes in constructed wetlands. This study examined the dissolved oxygen dynamics and total nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands with submerged and floating plants. Four constructed wetland units each with the surface area of 3 x 1 m<sup>2</sup> were constructed at University of Peradeniya. Two of those with the depths of 0.3 m (A) and 0.6 m (B) were planted separately with <em>Hydrilla verticillata</em> (submerged) and <em>Lemna minor</em> (floating), respectively. Other two (C and D) were constructed with two sections of 0.3 and 0.6 m depths and planted with <em>H. verticillata</em> and <em>L. minor</em>, respectively in each section. Secondary effluent from student hostel was fed with hydraulic retention time of 6 days. DO was measured at different depths of water, 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5 m from the water surface and along the longitudinal axis of the wetland at 6 hours interval. The total nitrogen was measured for water samples at inlet and outlets. The average dissolved oxygen concentrations of A and B were 17.7 and 0.4 mg L<sup>-1</sup> respectively. Oxic condition was maintained in the submerged plant units. Anoxic condition resulted throughout the day in floating plant system. DO varied significantly with depths in oxic condition. DO dynamics in these wetlands can be explained by photosynthesis, respiration, deaeration and reaeration processes. The highest total nitrogen removal was achieved in unit D where combined anoxic and oxic conditions were maintained together <em>H. verticillata</em> and <em>L. minor</em> could effectively be used to maintain required dissolved oxygen in constructed wetlands for nitrate removal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v21i4.3311 <em>TAR </em>2010; 21(3): 353-360
Highlights
Dissolved oxygen (DO) in water is essential for the biochemical processes which determine the fate of nitrogen and organic pollutants of wastewater in constructed wetlands (CWs) (Mowjood and Kasubuchi, 1998)
Dissolved oxygen (DO) was measured when the plants reached the maximum growth
Sections in C and D with H. verticillata and L. minor showed a similar variation in plant growth
Summary
Dissolved oxygen (DO) in water is essential for the biochemical processes which determine the fate of nitrogen and organic pollutants of wastewater in constructed wetlands (CWs) (Mowjood and Kasubuchi, 1998). Oxygen can be transferred to wetlands with the influent water, from the atmosphere and via plant tissues into the water column (Mowjood and Kasubuchi, 2002; Tanner et al, 2002; Imfeld et al, 2009). Effect of Submerged and Floating Plants on Oxygen Dynamics and Nitrogen Removal and enhancing microbial activities (Karjalainen et al, 2001). Brix (1994) and Reed et al (1995) have studied the effect of roots of emergent plants on providing oxygen to substrate and bacteria. Another study has been reported by Sasikala et al (2009) on root oxygen release by emergent plants in vertical flow CWs
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