Sustainable Management and Successful Application of Constructed Wetlands: A Critical Review

Angela Gorgoglione,Vincenzo Torretta

doi:10.3390/su10113910

Angela Gorgoglione, Vincenzo Torretta

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su10113910

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Abstract

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are affordable and reliable green technologies for the treatment of various types of wastewater. Compared to conventional treatment systems, CWs offer an environmental-friendly approach, are low cost, have fewer operational and maintenance requirements, and have a high potential for being applied in developing countries; particularly in small rural communities. However, the sustainable management and successful application of these systems remain a challenge. Therefore, after briefly giving basic information on wetlands and summarizing the classification and use of current CWs, this study aims to provide sustainable solutions for the performance and applications of CWs. To accomplish this objective, design and management parameters of CWs, including macrophyte species, media types, water level, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and hydraulic loading rate (HLR), are discussed. The current study collects and presents results of more than 120 case studies from around the world. This work provides a tool for researchers and decision-makers for using CWs to treat wastewater in a particular area. This study presents an aid for informed analysis, decision-making, and communication.

Highlights

In the last few decades, constructed wetlands (CWs) have been widely used to treat several types of wastewater such as domestic sewage, industrial effluent, agricultural wastewater, landfill leachate, polluted river water, and urban runoff [1,2,3,4,5]
The treatment performance of Constructed wetlands (CWs) is based on optimal operating parameters (i.e., water depth, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and pollutant load)
Before undertaking expensive experimental studies to gather and analyze additional steps to the treatment performance, it is necessary first to understand what enhancement in operation and application of CWs would result if we develop an in-depth knowledge of these systems

Summary

Introduction

In the last few decades, constructed wetlands (CWs) have been widely used to treat several types of wastewater such as domestic sewage, industrial effluent, agricultural wastewater, landfill leachate, polluted river water, and urban runoff [1,2,3,4,5]. There are fewer studies on the sustainable operation and successful application of these systems. The treatment performance of CWs is based on optimal operating parameters (i.e., water depth, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and pollutant load). The variation of these parameters affects the efficiency of contaminant removal [22,23,24]. For instance, temperature, availability of dissolved oxygen (DO) and organic carbon source, operation strategies, pH, and redox conditions [3,25,26]

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