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Abstract
The Multi-Soil-Layering (MSL) system consists of soil units arranged in a brick-like pattern that are surrounded by layers of zeolite or alternating particles with a homogeneous size that allow a high hydraulic loading rate. Characteristics of the changes in the water movement, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and system weight during the wastewater treatment in the MSL system were investigated using a laboratory-scale MSL system (D10 × W50 × H73 cm). As the loading rate increased from 1,000 to 5,500 L m−2 d−1, wastewater preferentially flowed into the permeable layers in the MSL, which decreased the contact of the wastewater with the soil mixture layers. HRT was inversely related to the loading rate. HRT decreased from 20 to 1 h, as the loading rate increased from 250 to 6,000 L m−2 d−1. As an indicator of the system condition, the weight variation of the system was determined during the wastewater treatment. When the weight was stable, input and output of wastewater and decomposition of organic matter appeared to be equilibrated. When the weight increased, the system started to clog. Due to clogging, the efficiency of COD and phosphorus removal decreased, while the efficiency of nitrate removal increased.