Constructed Wetlands: A sustainable way of Treating Wastewater in Cold Climate - A review

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh - 177005, India

2 Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute Of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, H.P.-177005, India

3 Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, H.P. - 177005

Abstract

The use of constructed wetland (CW) is a natural way of treating wastewater sustainably and economically. However, the implementation of these systems in freezing conditions is still a matter of research and development. The treatment capacity of CWs relies largely on the biological and biochemical processes which further depends on physical conditions such as temperature, solar radiations, etc. Application of wetland systems for treating wastewater faces many challenges in regions with cold climates, resolving which this review has been made. This paper presents a thorough understanding of the components of CWs and their role in contaminant removal. A comprehensive review of the different types of CWs has been done describing the treatment efficiency achieved by its implementation in the cold climate. Furthermore, various technologies which can be clubbed with CWs have also been listed along with the treatment efficiencies obtained. Literature survey indicates that the extent of removing organics (COD and BOD5) and total phosphorous (TP) are not likely to be affected, but total nitrogen (TN) removal appears to slow down at low temperatures. Despite several advantages of CW technology, further research is required to select suitable macrophytes and optimum design parameters to compensate for frigid conditions.

Keywords


Ashraf, S., Afzal, M., Naveed, M., Shahid, M. and Ahmad Zahir, Z. (2018). Endophytic bacteria enhance remediation of tannery effluent in constructed wetlands vegetated with Leptochloa fusca. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 20(2), 121–128.
Ayaz, S. Ç., Aktaş, Ö., Akça, L. and Fındık, N. (2015). Effluent quality and reuse potential of domestic wastewater treated in a pilot-scale hybrid constructed wetland system. Journal of Environmental Management, 156, 115–120.
Bajpai, M., Katoch, S. S. and Chaturvedi, N. K. (2019). Comparative study on decentralized treatment technologies for sewage and graywater reuse – a review. Water Science and Technology, 80(11), 2091–2106.
Bani-Melhem, K., Al-Qodah, Z., Al-Shannag, M., Qasaimeh, A., Rasool Qtaishat, M. and Alkasrawi, M. (2015). On the performance of real grey water treatment using a submerged membrane bioreactor system. Journal of Membrane Science, 476, 40–49.
Barash, A., Ozer, K., Adin, A., Sciences, W., Hebrew, T., Milstein, D. and Gasith, A. (2009). Electroflocculation – Constructed Wetland Hybrid for Improved Phosphate Removal In Effluent Reuse Keywords.
Boonsong, K., Piyatiratitivorakul, S. and Patanaponpaiboon, P. (2003). Potential use of mangrove plantation as constructed wetland for municipal wastewater treatment. Water Science and Technology, 48(5), 257–266.
Bosak, V., VanderZaag, A., Crolla, A., Kinsley, C. and Gordon, R. (2016). Performance of a Constructed Wetland and Pretreatment System Receiving Potato Farm Wash Water. Water, 8(5), 183.
Boujelben, N., Bouzid, J., Elouear, Z., Feki, M., Jamoussi, F. and Montiel, A. (2008). Phosphorus removal from aqueous solution using iron coated natural and engineered sorbents. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 151(1), 103–110.
Calheiros, C. S. C., Quitério, P. V. B., Silva, G., Crispim, L. F. C., Brix, H., Moura, S. C. and Castro, P. M. L. (2012). Use of constructed wetland systems with Arundo and Sarcocornia for polishing high salinity tannery wastewater. Journal of Environmental Management, 95(1), 66–71.
Cameron, K., Madramootoo, C., Crolla, A. and Kinsley, C. (2003). Pollutant removal from municipal sewage lagoon effluents with a free-surface wetland. Water Research, 37(12), 2803–2812.
Carreau et al. (2012). Evaluation of a surface flow constructed wetland treating abattoir wastewater. 28(5), 757–766.
Chazarenc, F., Maltais-Landry, G., Troesch, S., Comeau, Y. and Brisson, J. (2007). Effect of loading rate on performance of constructed wetlands treating an anaerobic supernatant. Water Science and Technology : A Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research, 56(3), 23–29.
Chen, Z. M., Chen, B., Zhou, J. B., Li, Z., Zhou, Y., Xi, X. R., Lin, C. and Chen, G. Q. (2008). A vertical subsurface-flow constructed wetland in Beijing. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 13(9), 1986–1997.
Cheng, R., Zhu, H., Cheng, X., Shutes, B. and Yan, B. (2020). Saline and alkaline tolerance of wetland plants-what are the most representative evaluation indicators? Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(5), 1–18.
Comino, E., Riggio, V. A. and Rosso, M. (2013). Constructed wetland treatment of agricultural effluent from an anaerobic digester. Ecological Engineering, 54, 165–172.
Comino, E., Riggio, V. and Rosso, M. (2011). Mountain cheese factory wastewater treatment with the use of a hybrid constructed wetland. Ecological Engineering, 37(11), 1673–1680.
Dahiya, R. (2015). Projections for the Population Growth and Its Impact on Solid Waste Generation of a Medium Sized North. International Journal of Technical Research and Applications, 3(6), 57–61.
Davor Stanković. (2018). Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Encyclopedia of Ecology, 69, 14–21.
Duran-Encalada, J. A., Paucar-Caceres, A., Bandala, E. R. and Wright, G. H. (2017). The impact of global climate change on water quantity and quality: A system dynamics approach to the US–Mexican transborder region. European Journal of Operational Research, 256(2), 567–581.
El-Khateeb, M. A. and El-Gohary, F. A. (2003). Combining UASB technology and constructed wetland for domestic wastewater reclamation and reuse. Water Supply, 3(4), 201–208.
Elfanssi, S., Ouazzani, N., Latrach, L., Hejjaj, A. and Mandi, L. (2018). Phytoremediation of domestic wastewater using a hybrid constructed wetland in mountainous rural area. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 20(1), 75–87.
Fan, J., Zhang, J., Ngo, H. H., Guo, W. and Yin, X. (2016). Improving low-temperature performance of surface flow constructed wetlands using Potamogeton crispus L. plant. Bioresource Technology, 218, 1257–1260.
Gao, D. and Hu, Q. (2012). Bio-contact oxidation and greenhouse-structured wetland system for rural sewage recycling in cold regions: A full-scale study. Ecological Engineering, 49, 249–253.
García, J., Rousseau, D. P. L., Morató, J., Lesage, E., Matamoros, V. and Bayona, J. M. (2010). Contaminant Removal Processes in Subsurface-Flow Constructed Wetlands: A Review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 40(7), 561–661.
Gkika, D., Gikas, G. D. and Tsihrintzis, V. A. (2015). Environmental footprint of constructed wetlands treating wastewater. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part A, Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering, 50(6), 631–638.
Gorito, A. M., Ribeiro, A. R., Gomes, C. R., Almeida, C. M. R. and Silva, A. M. T. (2018). Constructed wetland microcosms for the removal of organic micropollutants from freshwater aquaculture effluents. Science of the Total Environment, 644, 1171–1180.
Gorra, R., Freppaz, M., Zanini, E. and Scalenghe, R. (2014). Mountain dairy wastewater treatment with the use of a “irregularly shaped” constructed wetland (Aosta Valley, Italy). Ecological Engineering, 73, 176–183.
Grafias, P., Xekoukoulotakis, N. P., Mantzavinos, D. and Diamadopoulos, E. (2010). Pilot treatment of olive pomace leachate by vertical-flow constructed wetland and electrochemical oxidation: An efficient hybrid process. Water Research, 44(9), 2773–2780.
Guittonny-Philippe, A., Masotti, V., Höhener, P., Boudenne, J. L., Viglione, J. and Laffont-Schwob, I. (2014). Constructed wetlands to reduce metal pollution from industrial catchments in aquatic Mediterranean ecosystems: A review to overcome obstacles and suggest potential solutions. Environment International, 64, 1–16.
Hang, Q., Wang, H., Chu, Z., Ye, B., Li, C. and Hou, Z. (2016). Application of plant carbon source for denitrification by constructed wetland and bioreactor: review of recent development. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(9), 8260–8274.
Heyvaert, A. C., Reuter, J. E. and Goldman, C. R. (2006). Subalpine, cold climate, stormwater treatment with a constructed surface flow wetland. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 42(1), 45–54.
Hoffmann H., Platzer C., Winker M. and Von Muench E. (2011) Technology review of constructed wetlands: Subsurface flow constructed weltands for greywater and domestic wastewater treatment. http://www.susana.org/en/resources/library/details/930, last accessed 25 May 2017. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): Eschborn, Germany.
Ingrao, C., Failla, S. and Arcidiacono, C. (2020). A comprehensive review of environmental and operational issues of constructed wetland systems. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health13, 35-45.
Jamshidi, S. and Khalesidoost, M. (2014). Biogas production yield of anaerobic baffled reactor in low pH and HRT. Journal of Middle East Applied Science and Technology, 15(15), 765–770.
Jenssen, P. D., Mæhlum, T. and Krogstad, T. (1993). Potential Use of Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment in Northern Environments. Water Science and Technology, 28(10), 149–157.
Jenssen P, D. and Vrale L. (2003). Greywater Treatment in combined Biofilter/Constructed Wetlands in Cold Climate. Ecosan – Closing the Loop. Proc. 2nd Int. Symp. Ecological Sanitation, Lübeck, 875–881.
Ji, G. D., Sun, T. H. and Ni, J. R. (2007). Surface flow constructed wetland for heavy oil-produced water treatment. Bioresource Technology, 98(2), 436–441.
Jong, J., Lee, J., Kim, J., Hyun, K., Hwang, T., Park, J. and Choung, Y. (2010). The study of pathogenic microbial communities in graywater using membrane bioreactor. Desalination, 250(2), 568–572.
Ju, X., Wu, S., Huang, X., Zhang, Y. and Dong, R. (2014). How the novel integration of electrolysis in tidal flow constructed wetlands intensifies nutrient removal and odor control. Bioresource Technology, 169, 605–613.
Kadlec R.H. and Wallace S.D. (2009) Treatment Wetlands, Second Edition. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.
Kadlec, R. H., Pries, J. and Lee, K. (2012). The Brighton treatment wetlands. Ecological Engineering, 47, 56–70.
Kimura, K., Nishisako, R., Miyoshi, T., Shimada, R. and Watanabe, Y. (2008). Baffled membrane bioreactor (BMBR) for efficient nutrient removal from municipal wastewater. Water Research, 42(3), 625–632.
Kirby, A. (2002). Wastewater Treatment Using Constructed Wetlands. Canadian Water Resources Journal, 27(3), 263–272.
Kong, L., He, F., Xia, S., Xu, D., Zhang, Y., Xiao, E. R. and Wu, Z. B. (2013). A combination process of DMBR-IVCW for domestic sewage treatment. Fresenius Environ. Bull22(3), 665-674.
Lai, C., Sun, Y., Guo, Y., Cai, Q. and Yang, P. (2020). A novel integrated bio-reactor of moving bed and constructed wetland (MBCW) for domestic wastewater treatment and its microbial community diversity. Environmental Technology, 0(0), 1–16.
Lavrnić, S. and Mancini, M. L. (2016). Can constructed wetlands treat wastewater for reuse in agriculture? Review of guidelines and examples in South Europe. Water Science and Technology, 73(11), 2616–2626.
Li, J., Fan, J., Zhang, J., Hu, Z. and Liang, S. (2018). Preparation and evaluation of wetland plant-based biochar for nitrogen removal enhancement in surface flow constructed wetlands. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(14), 13929–13937.
Li, Y., Zhang, Y. and Zhang, X. (2011). Heat preservation of subsurface flow constructed wetland in cold area in winter and its operation effect. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 10(PART C), 2182–2188.
Liyanage, C. P. and Yamada, K. (2017). Impact of population growth on the water quality of natural water bodies. Sustainability (Switzerland), 9(8).
Lutterbeck, Carlos A., Kist, Lourdes T., Lopez, Diosnel R., Zerwes, Filipe V. and Machado, Ênio L. (2017). Life cycle assessment of integrated wastewater treatment systems with constructed wetlands in rural areas. Journal of Cleaner Production, 148(), 527–536. 
Varma, M., Gupta, A. K., Ghosal, P. S. and Majumder, A. (2021). A review on performance of constructed wetlands in tropical and cold climate: Insights of mechanism, role of influencing factors, and system modification in low temperature. Science of The Total Environment755, 142540.
Mann, R. A. and Bavor, H. J. (1993). Phosphorus removal in constructed wetlands using gravel and industrial waste substrata. Water Science and Technology, 27(1), 107–113.
Matheson, F. E. and Sukias, J. P. (2010). Nitrate removal processes in a constructed wetland treating drainage from dairy pasture. Ecological Engineering, 36(10), 1260–1265.
Mendes, L. R. D., Tonderski, K. and Kjaergaard, C. (2018). Phosphorus accumulation and stability in sediments of surface-flow constructed wetlands. Geoderma, 331(June), 109–120.
Milani, M., Consoli, S., Marzo, A., Pino, A., Randazzo, C., Barbagallo, S. and Cirelli, G. L. (2020). Treatment of winery wastewater with a multistage constructed wetland system for irrigation reuse. Water12(5), 1260.
Myszograj, S. and Bydałek, F. (2016). Temperature Impact of Nitrogen Transformation in Technological System: Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland and Polishing Pond. Civil And Environmental Engineering Reports, 23(4), 125–136.
Nan, X., Lavrnić, S. and Toscano, A. (2020). Potential of constructed wetland treatment systems for agricultural wastewater reuse under the EU framework. Journal of Environmental Management275, 111219.
Nivala, J., Hoos, M. B., Cross, C., Wallace, S. and Parkin, G. (2007). Treatment of landfill leachate using an aerated, horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland. Science of The Total Environment, 380(1–3), 19–27.
Nguyen, X. C., Tran, T. P., Hoang, V. H., Nguyen, T. P., Chang, S. W., Nguyen, D. D. and Bach, Q. V. (2020). Combined biochar vertical flow and free-water surface constructed wetland system for dormitory sewage treatment and reuse. Science of The Total Environment713, 136404.
Pang, C., Li, A., Qiu, S., Wang, L., Yang, J., Ma, F. and Ren, N. (2015). A novel subsurface flow constructed wetland system used in anvanced wastewater treatment for nutrient removal in a cold area. 47(D), 173–178.
Paruch, A. M., Mæhlum, T., Haarstad, K., Blankenberg, A.G. B. and Hensel, G. (2016). Natural and Constructed Wetlands. Natural and Constructed Wetlands, (1431), 41–55.
Prochaska, C. A., Zouboulis, A. I. and Eskridge, K. M. (2007). Performance of pilot-scale vertical-flow constructed wetlands, as affected by season, substrate, hydraulic load and frequency of application of simulated urban sewage. Ecological Engineering, 31(1), 57–66.
Rahman, M. E., Bin Halmi, M. I. E., Bin Abd Samad, M. Y., Uddin, M. K., Mahmud, K., Abd Shukor, M. Y., Abdullah, S.R.S. and Shamsuzzaman, S. M. (2020). Design, Operation and Optimization of Constructed Wetland for Removal of Pollutant. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(22), 8339.
Rai, U. N., Upadhyay, A. K., Singh, N. K., Dwivedi, S. and Tripathi, R. D. (2015). Seasonal applicability of horizontal sub-surface fl ow constructed wetland for trace elements and nutrient removal from urban wastes to conserve Ganga River water quality at Haridwar , India. Ecological Engineering, 81, 115–122.
Reddy, K. R., Patrick, W. H. and Broadbent, F. E. (1984). Nitrogen transformations and loss in flooded soils and sediments. C R C Critical Reviews in Environmental Control, 13(4), 273–309.
Resende, J. D., Nolasco, M. A. and Pacca, S. A. (2019). Life cycle assessment and costing of wastewater treatment systems coupled to constructed wetlands. Resources, Conservation and Recycling148, 170-177.
Reuter, J. E., Djohan, T. and Goldman, C. R. (1992). The use of wetlands for nutrient removal from surface runoff in a cold climate region of california-results from a newly constructed wetland at lake tahoe. Journal of Environmental Management, 36(1), 35–53.
Rozema, E. R., Rozema, L. R. and Zheng, Y. (2016). A vertical flow constructed wetland for the treatment of winery process water and domestic sewage in Ontario, Canada: Six years of performance data. Ecological Engineering, 86, 262–268.
Saeed, T. and Sun, G. (2012). A review on nitrogen and organics removal mechanisms in subsurface flow constructed wetlands: Dependency on environmental parameters, operating conditions and supporting media. Journal of Environmental Management, 112, 429–448.
Sandoval, L., Zamora-castro, S. A., Á, M. V. and Mar, L. (2019). applied sciences Role of Wetland Plants and Use of Ornamental Flowering Plants in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment : A Review. 1–17.
Schaum, C., Lensch, D. and Cornel, P. (2015). Water reuse and reclamation: A contribution to energy efficiency in the water cycle. Journal of Water Reuse and Desalination, 5(2), 83–94.
Schierano, M. C., Panigatti, M. C. and Maine, M. A. (2018). Horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands for tertiary treatment of dairy wastewater. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 20(9), 895–900.
Scholz, M. (2004). Treatment of gully pot effluent containing nickel and copper with constructed wetlands in a cold climate. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 79(2), 153–162.
Sharma, P. K., Inoue, T., Kato, K., Ietsugu, H., Tomita, K. and Nagasawa, T. (2011). Potential of hybrid constructed wetland system in treating milking parlor wastewater under cold climatic conditions in northern Hokkaido, Japan. Water Practice and Technology, 6(3).
Shelef, O., Gross, A. and Rachmilevitch, S. (2013). Role of plants in a constructed Wetland: Current and new perspectives. Water (Switzerland), 5(2), 405–419.
Shin, C., McCarty, P. L., Kim, J. and Bae, J. (2014). Pilot-scale temperate-climate treatment of domestic wastewater with a staged anaerobic fluidized membrane bioreactor (SAF-MBR). Bioresource Technology, 159, 95–103.
Sindilariu, P., Schulz, C. and Reiter, R. (2007). Treatment of flow-through trout aquaculture effluents in a constructed wetland. Aquaculture, 270(1–4), 92–104.
Singh, S., Haberl, R., Moog, O., Shrestha, R. R., Shrestha, P. and Shrestha, R. (2009). Performance of an anaerobic baffled reactor and hybrid constructed wetland treating high-strength wastewater in Nepal—A model for DEWATS. Ecological Engineering, 35(5), 654–660.
Smith, E., Gordon, R., Madani, A. and Stratton, G. (2006). Year-round treatment of dairy wastewater by constructed wetlands in Atlantic Canada. Wetlands, 26(2), 349–357.
Stottmeister, U., Wießner, A., Kuschk, P., Kappelmeyer, U., Kästner, M., Bederski, O., Muller, R.A. and Moormann, H. (2003). Effects of plants and microorganisms in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Biotechnology Advances, 22(1–2), 93–117.
Tanner, C. C., Clayton, J. S. and Upsdell, M. P. (1995). Effect of loading rate and planting on treatment of dairy farm wastewaters in constructed wetlands-I. Removal of oxygen demand, suspended solids and faecal coliforms. Water Research, 29(1), 17–26.
Thorén, A. K., Legrand, C. and Tonderski, K. S. (2004). Temporal export of nitrogen from a constructed wetland: Influence of hydrology and senescing submerged plants. Ecological Engineering, 23(4–5), 233–249.
Tsihrintzis, V. A., Akratos, C. S., Gikas, G. D., Karamouzis, D. and Angelakis, A. N. (2007). Performance and Cost Comparison of a FWS and a VSF Constructed Wetland System. Environmental Technology, 28(6), 621–628.
Valipour, A., Taghvaei, S. M., Raman, V. K., Gholikandi, G. B., Jamshidi, S. and Hamnabard, N. (2014). An approach on attached growth process for domestic wastewater treatment. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 13(1), 145–152.
Venkata Mohan, S., Mohanakrishna, G. and Chiranjeevi, P. (2011). Sustainable power generation from floating macrophytes based ecological microenvironment through embedded fuel cells along with simultaneous wastewater treatment. Bioresource Technology, 102(14), 7036–7042.
Vymazal, J. (2005). Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Ecological Engineering, 25(5), 475–477.
Vymazal, J. (2007). Removal of nutrients in various types of constructed wetlands. Science of the Total Environment, 380(1–3), 48–65.
Vymazal, J. (2010). Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Water (Switzerland), 2(3), 530–549.
Vymazal, J. (2015). The Role of Natural and Constructed Wetlands in Nutrient Cycling and Retention on the Landscape. In J. Vymazal (Ed.), The Role of Natural and Constructed Wetlands in Nutrient Cycling and Retention on the Landscape.
Wallace, S., Parkin, G. and Cross, C. (2001). Cold climate wetlands: design and performance. Water Science and Technology, 44(11–12), 259–265.
Wang, F., Liu, Y., Ma, Y., Wu, X. and Yang, H. (2012). Characterization of nitrification and microbial community in a shallow moss constructed wetland at cold temperatures. Ecological Engineering, 42, 124–129.
Wang, H. X., Xu, J. L., Sheng, L. X. and Liu, X. J. (2018). A Review of Research on Substrate Materials for Constructed Wetlands. Materials Science Forum, 913, 917–929.
Werker, A. G., Dougherty, J. M., McHenry, J. L. and Van Loon, W. A. (2002). Treatment variability for wetland wastewater treatment design in cold climates. Ecological Engineering, 19(1), 1–11.
Wittgren, H. B. and Mæhlum, T. (1997). Wastewater treatment wetlands in cold climates. Water Science and Technology, 35(5), 45–53.
Wu, H., Ma, W., Kong, Q. and Liu, H. (2018). Spatial-temporal dynamics of organics and nitrogen removal in surface flow constructed wetlands for secondary effluent treatment under cold temperature. Chemical Engineering Journal, 350(June), 445–452.
Yan, Y. and Xu, J. (2014). Improving winter performance of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in northern china: A Review. Wetlands, 34(2), 243–253.
Yates, C. N., Varickanickal, J., Cousins, S. and Wootton, B. (2016). Testing the ability to enhance nitrogen removal at cold temperatures with C. aquatilis in a horizontal subsurface flow wetland system. Ecological Engineering, 94, 344–351.
Ye, C., Li, L., Zhang, J. and Yang, Y. (2012). Study on ABR Stage-Constructed Wetland Integrated System in Treatment of Rural Sewage. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 12(Icese 2011), 687–692.
 Zhang, N., Yang, Y., Huang, L., Xie, H. and Hu, Z. (2019). Birnessite-coated sand filled vertical flow constructed wetlands improved nutrients removal in a cold climate. RSC advances9(62), 35931-35938.
Zhang, X., Inoue, T., Kato, K., Izumoto, H., Harada, J., Wu, D., Sakuragi, H., Letsugu, H. and Sugawara, Y. (2017). Multi-stage hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetlands for treating piggery and dairy wastewater in cold climate. Environmental Technology (United Kingdom), 38(2), 183–191.
Zhu, H., Yan, B., Xu, Y., Guan, J. and Liu, S. (2014). Removal of nitrogen and COD in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands under different influent C/N ratios. Ecological Engineering, 63, 58–63.