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Comparative Efficiency of Two Different Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment of Small Populations in Mediterranean Continental Climate

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  • Alejandro Acero-Oliete

    (Group of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering (GIHA), Technical College of La Almunia (EUPLA), University of Zaragoza, La Almunia, 50100 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Pedro Luis López-Julián

    (Group of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering (GIHA), Technical College of La Almunia (EUPLA), University of Zaragoza, La Almunia, 50100 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Beniamino Russo

    (Group of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering (GIHA), Technical College of La Almunia (EUPLA), University of Zaragoza, La Almunia, 50100 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Oscar Ruiz-Lozano

    (Group of Hydraulics and Environmental Engineering (GIHA), Technical College of La Almunia (EUPLA), University of Zaragoza, La Almunia, 50100 Zaragoza, Spain)

Abstract

The treatment of wastewater from small towns supposes problems of economic efficiency, leading to very high environmental costs in areas with low population density. Constructed wetlands (CW) seems to be the more suitable solution for this kind of situation, but further investigations are needed regarding their efficiency under different climatic conditions. This work presents the results concerning urban wastewater treatment by means of two different constructed wetlands using macrophytes: horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) and free water surface (FWS). The systems are located in a Mediterranean continental climate area and are fed by a by-pass at the entrance of a wastewater treatment plant. A four-year sampling campaign at the outlet of the CW allowed verifying their relative effectiveness in removing pollutants in the different seasons of the year. BOD 5 , COD, and TSS were significantly removed (with average reductions of 55%, 60%, and 57%, respectively) by these natural phytodepuration systems, with HSSF being more efficient during plants’ dormancy than FWS, but the concentrations of nutrients indicated that cumulative effects occur in CW with the need of adequate annual maintenance. It was found that the main factors controlling the efficiency of such systems throughout the year are the period of vegetative development, the presence/absence of a solid substrate, and the pollutant load of the wastewater inlet.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Acero-Oliete & Pedro Luis López-Julián & Beniamino Russo & Oscar Ruiz-Lozano, 2022. "Comparative Efficiency of Two Different Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment of Small Populations in Mediterranean Continental Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6511-:d:824764
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Angela Gorgoglione & Vincenzo Torretta, 2018. "Sustainable Management and Successful Application of Constructed Wetlands: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gilberto M. Martel-Rodríguez & Vanessa Millán-Gabet & Carlos A. Mendieta-Pino & Eva García-Romero & José R. Sánchez-Ramírez, 2022. "Long-Term Performance of a Hybrid-Flow Constructed Wetlands System for Urban Wastewater Treatment in Caldera de Tirajana (Santa Lucía, Gran Canaria, Spain)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-18, November.

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