Performance Analysis of Vertical Up-flow Constructed Wetlands for Secondary Treated Effluent

Abstract

The use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment has been exercised since 1950's and still are being in use. The vertical flow constructed wetlands provide more oxygenated environment and significantly reduce the organic matter as well as microbial species from wastewater. In the present study vertical up-flow constructed wetlands were constructed and used as bio-filter to improve the water quality of secondary treated effluent. The reduction pattern is studied in this research and correlated with plant species and presence of plant. The plant species used in the constructed wetlands were canna and phragmitis. The fibrous rooting system of canna species causes the high aerobic conditions throughout the treatment bed which in turn facilitates higher removal in comparison to phragmitis planted wetland. Removal of nitrogenous compounds like ammonia-nitrogen, TKN and nitrate were observed better in canna planted wetlands than others.