Application of Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Systems for Domestic Wastewater Treatment: A Case Study, Kızılcaören

Abstract

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a green technology that have been used to treat several types of wastewater such as domestic, industrial, agricultural wastewaters and landfill leachate. CWs have several advantages included land intensive, low energy, easy operation and maintenance, low investment/operational costs, landscape esthetics, reuse of waters, and increased wildlife habitat compared to conventional systems. CWs are alternative treatment technologies due to these properties especially for rural settlements, industries, and hotels that are remote locations from central treatment plants. Physical, chemical, and biological treatment mechanisms can employ together in CWs. In the present study, two parallel full scale horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands were designed to treat domestic wastewater of Kızılcaören village in Samsun, Turkey. Juncus acutus and Cortaderia selloana were selected and the removal performance of each species were evaluated. During 7 months operation, the mean removal efficiencies of Juncus acutus and Cortaderia selloana were found as 33% and 32% for Mg2+; 62% and 55% for Fe2+; 64% and 56% for Fe3+; 46% and 37% for Cl2; 48% and 39% for total Cl2; 26% and 37% for Ca2+; 28% and 23% for SAA, respectively. Also, the Two-way ANOVA between groups was applied to determine any difference for the removal of all parameters between the plant types and months on the mean values of pollutants removal.