Optimization of low-cost phosphorus removal from wastewater using co-treatments with constructed wetlands.
Eighteen wastewater treatment systems were operated for one year to investigate phosphorus (P) removal. Systems paired co-treatment reactors containing iron or calcium drinking water treatment residuals with vertical-flow constructed wetland mesocosms planted with Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (K.C. Gmel.) Palla. For secondary municipal wastewater, soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations were reduced from 0.70 to 0.03 mg L(-1) (95%) or 0.01 mg L(-1) (98%) by systems with the calcium or iron co-treatments, respectively (compared to 0.09 mg L(-1) or 87% by controls). Total P (TP) concentrations were reduced from 1.00 to 0.07 mg L(-1) (93%) and 0.05 mg L(-1) (95%) by the same treatments (compared to 0.16 mg L(-1) or 84% by controls). For anaerobically digested dairy wastewater, SRP was reduced from 7.68 to 6.43 mg L(-1) (16%) or 5.95 mg L(-1) (22%) by the systems with calcium or iron, respectively (compared to 7.37 mg L(-1) or 4% by controls). For this wastewater, the TP was reduced from 48.5 to 22.5 mg L(-1) (53%) and 22.7 mg L(-1) (53%) by the same treatments (compared to 24.1 mg L(-1) or 50% by controls) but performance improved substantially with a design modification tested.
Leader
J W
JW
Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110510, Gainesville, Florida 32611-0510, USA. jleader@ufl.edu
Reddy
K R
KR
Wilkie
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002417:Cattle; D003363:Cost Control; D003612:Dairying; D017753:Ecosystem; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000191:economics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
D010758:Phosphorus