[Effect of design and operation parameters on volatile alkylsulfides removal in subsurface constructed wetlands]

A pilot-scale subsurface constructed wetland wastewater treatment system was sampled for one year to study the effects of bed aspect ratio, substrate medium size, water depth, HLR (hydraulic loading rate) and temperature (season) on removal of volatile alkylsulfides such as DMS (dimethylsulfide) and DMDS (dimethyldisulfide). The yearly experimental results demonstrated that the system showed good performance for DMS and DMDS removal in wastewater under different HLR ranging from 12 cm x d(-1) to 86 cm x d(-1). The system could remove 86% of DMS, and 95% of DMDS, respectively. ANOVA statistical analysis shows that HLR and temperature (season) are major factors controlling the system performance for the target analytes. According to ANOVA test, the HLR caused significant differences (p < 0.01) on the average DMS effluent concentrations, and temperature (season) caused significant differences (p < 0.01) on the average DMS and DMDS effluent concentrations. However, bed aspect ratio, substrate medium size and water depth did not cause significant differences (p > 0.05) on the average DMS and DMDS effluent concentrations. A survey of dissolved oxygen and ORP indicates that the constructed wetlands system showed strong reduced condition. On the basis of investigations of electron acceptors (such as SO4(2-), NO3- and NO2-) and dissolved organic pollutants (such as TOC and acetic acid) concentrations along with the length of constructed wetlands, it can be concluded that sulfate reduction and methanogenisis were estimated to be significant for DMS and DMDS removal in constructed wetland beds.