Application of constructed wetlands in treating rural sewage from source separation with high-influent nitrogen load: a review

• Published in: World journal of microbiology & biotechnology Vol. 37; no. 8; p. 138
• Main Authors: Li, Xiangyu, Yang, Longjian, Xu, Kaiqin, Bei, Ke, Zheng, Xiangyong, Lu, Shiwen, An, Ning, Zhao, Jinshan, Jin, Zhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.08.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ammonia; ammonium nitrogen; Applied Microbiology; Artificial wetlands; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Blackwater; carbon; Carbon sources; Construction costs; Denitrification; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Greywater; infrastructure; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Nitrogen; Nitrogen removal; Operating costs; Optimization; Reclaimed water; Review; Rural areas; Separation; Sewage; Sewage disposal; Sewage treatment; Sewage treatment plants; Sustainable development; Wastewater treatment; Water reuse; Water treatment; Wetlands; Denitrification; Plant; Constructed wetlands; Decentralized wastewater treatment technology
• ISSN: 0959-3993; 1573-0972; 1573-0972
• DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03105-3

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are characterized by low construction cost, convenient maintenance and management, and environmentally friendly features. They have emerged as promising technologies for decentralized sewage treatment across rural areas. Source separation of black water and gray water can facilitate sewage recycling and reuse of reclaimed water, reduce the size of treatment facilities, and lower infrastructure investment and operating cost. This is consistent with the concept of sustainable development. However, black water contains high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, and the denitrification capacity of CWs is not excellent due to insufficient carbon source. Therefore, application of CWs for black water treatment faces challenges. This article provides a review on the progress in CWs for treatment of the sewage with high-influent nitrogen load, with emphasis on the commonly used strengthening means and the role of plants in nitrogen removal via CWs. The current issues of rural sewage treatment with high-influent nitrogen load by CWs are also assessed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are discussed for the optimization of CWs-enhanced denitrification strategies. Graphic abstract