[Effects of enhanced dephosphorization in the constructed wetland using water-granulated slag as matrix]

The phosphorus adsorption and desorption effects of water-granulated slag (WGS) were studied. A simulated vertical flow constructed wetland system was constituted using WGS as the main matrix. The influences of hydraulic residence time (HRT) and pollution load on phosphorus removal were investigated. The contributions of phosphorus removal of different horizon layers in up-flow and down-flow matrixes were studied. The results showed that WGS was a kind of adaptive desorption material for wetland due to its high saturated phosphorus adsorptive capacity (3333 mg x kg(-1)). The content of soluble calcium of WGS is 0.084%, which provides a suitable pH (7.54) for microbes and plants growth in wetland. The HRT is in positive correlation with phosphorus removal rate. The phosphorus removal rates decrease 5.9%-4.7% and 2.4%-4.7% when HRT decreases from 1 d to 0.5 d and form 2 d to 1 d, respectively. The phosphorus removal rates exceed 85% at 1 d HRT in WGS wetland. That means the optimized HRT is 1 d, and extending HRT infinitely is not helpful to phosphorus removal. The pollution load is in negative correlation with phosphorus removal rate under the conditions of steady influx concentration. The phosphorus removal rates maintain 85% when the pollution load is from 12.2 g x (m2 x d)(-1) to 36.8 g x (m2 x d)(-1). When the pollution load increases to 48.9 g x (m2 x d)(-1), the phosphorus removal rate decreases to 65% . The phosphorus removal rate exceeds 82% when the pollution load is less than 36.8 g x (m2 x d)(-1). That means higher pollution load will cause the calcium and aluminum active points of phosphorus adsorption shielded, which exist both on matrix surface and in inner pores. The range of optimized pollution load is from 24.5 g x (m2 x d)(-1) to 36.8 g x (m2 x d)(-1). The graduation mode of WGS in top layer and conventional materials in lower layer is helpful to phosphorus removal in vertical flow wetland. The phosphorus adsorptive capacities in up-flow and down-flow unit are 0.17 mg x kg(-1) and 0.05 mg x kg(-1) respectively. The WGS can be changed freely when the saturated adsorption occurs, which will extend the wetland service life.