Investigating the Application of Novel Filling Materials in Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands for the Treatment of Anaerobic Effluents Originating from Domestic Wastewater
Authors: Taxiarchis Seintos, Evridiki Barka, Evangelos Statiris, Asimina Koukoura
Journal: Journal of Environmental Management
Year: 2025
Keywords: Wastewater treatment; constructed wetlands; biochar; recycled glass; micropollutants; treated wastewater reuse
Abstract
Vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VSSF CWs) were employed to investigate the use of biochar that could be produced with local agricultural biomass through pyrolysis, recycled glass from local recycling companies and gel beads with decreased packing volume and shipping cost as substrate alternatives to sand. The materials were assessed in terms of granulometry, porosity, adsorption capacity and hydraulic conductivity and were used for the treatment of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, treating domestic wastewater, effluent. Granulometry was a major factor impacting TSS removal that ranged from 81% ± 10% to 97% ± 2%. The COD removal was affected by granulometry, porosity and the active biofilm formation, since biochar removal was slightly higher—up to 93% ± 3%—than that of sand and recycled glass—up to 86% ± 4% and 85% ± 5%, respectively—and significantly higher than that of gel beads—up to 68% ± 8%. The higher porosity of biochar affected NH₄-N removal in which adsorption had a greater and longer effect. The overall NH₄-N removal ranged between 84% ± 11% and 99% ± 1% for all materials. Sand, biochar and glass achieved an 80% average removal of selected contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including ibuprofen (IBU), naproxen (NPX), triclosan (TCS), bisphenol A (BPA), diclofenac (DCF) and ketoprofen (KFN). Biochar and recycled glass are effective in treating UASB effluent and enable treated wastewater reuse, since high compliance rates with EU Regulation 2020/741 – Class A were achieved: over 98% for TSS, over 88% for BOD₅ and 100% for turbidity.
Citation: Seintos, T., Barka, E., Statiris, E., Koukoura, A., Noutsopoulos, C., Mamais, D., & Malamis, S. (2025). Investigating the application of novel filling materials in vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands for the treatment of anaerobic effluents originating from domestic wastewater. Journal of Environmental Management, 375, Article 124211.
Link to publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725001872
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