Multiple aerobic and anaerobic baffled constructed wetlands for simultaneous nitrogen and organic compounds removal

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the reduction efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) as well as the removal of -N and -N by the Aerobic–anaerobic Baffled Constructed Wetland Reactor (ABCW). The ABCW reactor was planted with common reed (Phragmite australis), where the hydraulic retention times was set to 1 d and was fed with synthetic wastewater. Supplementary aeration was supplied in designated compartments of the ABCW reactor to control the aerobic and anaerobic zones. The COD reduction efficiency was 98%, while the -N and -N removal was 36–98%, respectively, which was due to nitrification and denitrification processes. The outstanding performance of the baffled unit was due to the longer pathway as there is the up-flow and down-flow condition sequentially, thus allowing more contact of the wastewater with the rhizomes and micro-aerobic zones.

Keywords:

• Aerobic–anaerobic baffled constructed wetland
• Sodium benzoate
• Artificial wastewater
• Nutrients

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Ministry of Higher Education (Grant no. 9003-00543).

Notes

Presented at The 2nd IWA Malaysia Young Water Professionals Conference 2015 (YWP15) March 17–20, 2015, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia