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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
08:13
A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Bacterial transformation and biodegradation processes simulation in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands
Esther Llorens1, Maarten W Saaltink, Manel Poch
1Catalan Institute for Water Research, H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, c/ Emili Grahit 101, E-17003 Girona, Spain. ellorens@icra.cat
Bioresource Technology
|October 8, 2010
Summary
The CWM1-RETRASO model accurately simulates horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs). Anaerobic processes, particularly methanogenesis, are key to removing chemical oxygen demand (COD) in these systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs) are crucial for urban wastewater treatment.
- Understanding microbial processes is vital for optimizing organic matter removal in HSSF CWs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the CWM1-RETRASO model's performance and reliability in simulating HSSF CW processes.
- To determine the contribution of different microbial reactions to chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in HSSF CWs.
Main Methods:
- Simulations using the CWM1-RETRASO model with various influent configurations.
- Analysis of simulated anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic microbial reaction contributions to COD removal.
Main Results:
- Anaerobic processes dominated COD removal (72-79%), significantly outperforming anoxic (0-1%) and aerobic (20-27%) reactions.
- Methanogenesis was the primary COD removal pathway, contributing 58-73% across simulations.
- Model predictions aligned well with existing literature and field observations.
Conclusions:
- The CWM1-RETRASO model demonstrates strong performance and reliability for simulating HSSF CWs.
- It is the first mechanistic model capable of successfully simulating CWM1 model processes in HSSF CWs.
- Anaerobic digestion, especially methanogenesis, plays a pivotal role in COD removal within these systems.
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