Difficulties and modifications in the use of available methods for hydraulic conductivity measurements in highly clogged horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands

Despite the fact that several authors consider the available measurement methods of hydraulic conductivity (k ) suitable for a good representation of the bed condition and clogging potential in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands, others have questioned their adequacy. In this work, hydr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2017-10, Vol.76 (7-8), p.1666-1675
Main Authors: Matos, Mateus Pimentel, Barreto, André Baxter, Vasconcellos, Gabriel Rodrigues, Matos, Antonio Teixeira, Simões, Gustavo Ferreira, von Sperling, Marcos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adequacy
Aquatic plants
Artificial wetlands
Baskets
Biofilms
Conductivity
Engineering
Environmental science
Evaluation
Freshwater plants
Hydraulic conductivity
Hydraulics
Hydrodynamics
Inlets (waterways)
Measurement methods
Methods
Porous media
Sanitation
Tubes
Well construction
Wetlands
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Summary:Despite the fact that several authors consider the available measurement methods of hydraulic conductivity (k ) suitable for a good representation of the bed condition and clogging potential in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands, others have questioned their adequacy. In this work, hydraulic conductivity measurements with conventional and modified methods were undertaken in two small full-scale units, one planted with cattail (Typha latifolia) and the other unplanted. Both units had already been operating for seven years and showed a high degree of clogging. It was observed that the use of the falling head method, with the introduction of the tubes during the test, provided results without a clear spatial trend. On the other hand, tests done on monitoring wells inserted during construction time showed, as expected, k increasing with the horizontal distance from the inlet, but without reflecting actual field conditions. It was observed that, as the bed became more clogged, the use of the reported methods became more complex, suggesting the need of other methodologies. The use of planted fixed reactors (removable baskets installed in the bed) with evaluation of k at constant head in the laboratory showed potential for the characterization of the hydrodynamic properties of the porous medium.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2017.340