Operational modifications of a full-scale experimental vertical flow constructed wetland with effluent recirculation to optimize total nitrogen removal

Buthaina Mahfoud Al-Wahaibi, Tahereh Jafary, Abdullah Al-Mamun*, Mahad Said Baawain, Mortaza Aghbashlo, Meisam Tabatabaei, Alexandros I. Stefanakis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A full-scale Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland (VFCW) was designed, built, and put into operation in Oman to provide a sustainable wastewater treatment solution within the Middle Eastern context. The VFCW had two stages (vertical flow 1 and 2; called VF1 and VF2, respectively) with a total treatment area of 995 m2 and was planted with common reeds (Phragmites australis), while the treated effluent was recirculated to an anoxic tank. The VFCW was continuously fed with high-strength domestic wastewater for 1.5 years (January 2017–June 2018). The study was divided into two phases: the first phase (Baseline) aimed at evaluating the treatment performance, and the second phase (Modification) aimed at testing different operational modifications to optimize the total nitrogen removal and deal with the nitrified treated effluent. Samples were collected at the inlet buffer tank and VF2 outlet daily during the first phase and weekly during the second phase. Overall, high removal rates obtained for total suspended solids (99.6%), biological oxygen demand (98.7%), chemical oxygen demand (97.8%), ammonia nitrogen (99.5%), total phosphorus (97.2%), and pathogens (99.9%) complied with the Oman Irrigation Standard A. However, limited denitrification was the main challenge since the effluent's total nitrogen value (25 mg/L) remained above the legal limit. Therefore, several operational modifications were tested, such as increasing the hydraulic retention time in the anoxic tank, increasing the saturation in VF2 beds, the step-feeding of raw wastewater, and the addition of an external carbon source. The step-feeding with artificial carbon dosing resulted in the desired nitrate reduction, i.e., below 11.3 mg/L according to the irrigation standard. This research study is among the first VFCW carried out on a full-scale to optimize its performance under a hot and arid climate.

Original languageEnglish
Article number126558
JournalJournal of Cleaner Production
Volume296
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 10 2021

Keywords

  • Denitrification
  • Nitrogen removal
  • Recirculation
  • Step-feeding
  • Vertical flow constructed wetland

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Building and Construction
  • General Environmental Science
  • Strategy and Management
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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