Performance efficiency of a large-scale integrated constructed wetland

Abstract

Introduction: Wastewater treatment plants are used to reduce pollution depending upon their effectiveness, treatment-efficiency, available-land, energy-sources, topography, climate and prevailing-winds, seasonal and climatic variations, and principal-cost. Integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) are diversely used for wastewater treatment because of their increased treatment efficiency. Purpose of the study: This study comprises of large-scale-ICW located at NUST Islamabad, Pakistan. Purpose of study was to monitor and identify the nutrient removal over the period of six month from October 2018 to March 2019. Material and methods: Samples were taken from each compartment of HSSF-CW (Horizontal Sub-Surface Flow Constructed Wetland) and FILTER technology (Filtration and Irrigated cropping for Land Treatment and Effluent Reuse) of treatment system. Different parameters including EC(Electrical conductivity), NO3 (Nitrate), NO2 (Nitrite), TKN (Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen), PO43- (Phosphate) were measured. Results: Removal efficiency of above discrice parameters was recorded 3, 0, 43, 43 and 27% of HSSF-CW respectively, while FILTER- technology contribute in removal by 6, 75, 19, 23 and 37% respectively. Conclusion: Spatial, temporal and plantation variation was calculated and results showed that effluent concentrations were significantly varied. TKN and Phosphate showed significant spatial and temporal variation, and also significantly varied due to presence and absence of plantation while no significant spatial variation was recorded in EC and Nitrite. Correlation was observed between physicochemical and weather parameters.