Evaluation of substrate clogging processes in vertical flow constructed wetlands

Substrate clogging is by far the biggest operational problem of vertical flow constructed wetlands. The term "substrate clogging" summarises several processes which lead to reduction of the infiltration capacity at the substrate surface. The lower infiltration rate causes a reduced oxygen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2003-01, Vol.48 (5), p.25-34
Main Authors: LANGERGRABER, G, HABERL, R, LABER, J, PRESSL, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Aquatic plants
Artificial wetlands
Biodegradation, Environmental
Biological and medical sciences
Biological treatment of waters
Biotechnology
Chemical precipitation
Drinking water
Ecosystem
Environment and pollution
Equipment Failure
Exact sciences and technology
Filtration
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General purification processes
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Infiltration
Infiltration capacity
Infiltration rate
Microorganisms
Particle Size
Plant growth
Plant Roots
Pollution
Sludge
Soil compaction
Soil investigations
Substrates
Suspended solids
Vertical flow
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Wastewater
Wastewaters
Water Movements
Water treatment and pollution
Wetlands
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Summary:Substrate clogging is by far the biggest operational problem of vertical flow constructed wetlands. The term "substrate clogging" summarises several processes which lead to reduction of the infiltration capacity at the substrate surface. The lower infiltration rate causes a reduced oxygen supply and further leads to a rapid failure of the treatment performance. Reasons for substrate clogging include accumulation of suspended solids, surplus sludge production, chemical precipitation and deposition in the pores, growth of plant-rhizomes and roots, generation of gas and compaction of the clogging layer. However, it is not clear how much each process contributes to the clogging process. Detailed investigations were carried out at pilot-scale constructed wetlands (PSCWs) using a variety of methods: e.g. soil physical investigations, microbial methods, and various analysis methods of drinking water and wastewater. The paper shows the results of these investigations and presents an equation to calculate the theoretical clogging time.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2003.0272