Hydraulic performance of small free water surface constructed wetlands treating sugar factory effluent in western Kenya

Abstract

This study investigated, using a lithium salt tracer, how macrophyte species and hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of wastewater influenced hydraulics in constructed wetlands (CWs). Four pilot-scale CWs received 45 mm day^-1 of pre-treated sugar factory effluent and another four received 110 mm day^-1. Half the CWs were planted with Cyperus papyrus and half with Echinochloa pyramidalis. Results showed a significant negative connection between tracer mass recovery and wetland water leakages. Also, a significant negative relationship between active wetland water volume and macrophyte density was detected. Further, a significant effect of HLR on mass removal rates of NH4 þ-N was observed. However, no significant effect of either HLR or macrophyte species on wetland hydraulic parameters was found.

Published in

Hydrology research
2012, volume: 43, number: 4, pages: 476-488

SLU Authors

• Bodin, Hristina

  • Linköping University

• Persson, Jesper

  • Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG6 Clean water and sanitation

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2012.133

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/39540