Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
[Removal efficiency of nitrogen in aerobic/anaerobic subsurface flow constructed wetlands]
Feng-Min Li1, Shi Shan, Hao-Yun Wang
1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China. lfm01@ouc.edu.cn
Abstract:
In order to adjust the dissolved oxygen in the traditional subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SFCWs) and increase the purification efficiency of sewage water, the traditional SFCWs were divided into different sections with enhanced functions. Different kinds of aerobic/anaerobic SFCWs were designed to study the influence of ratio and location of aerobic/anaerobic, artificial aeration and other factors on the nitrogen in effluent. The purification efficiency of the water in this study was compared with that in traditional SFCWs. The results showed that the removal efficiencies of NH4(+)-N and TN in traditional SFCWs were 18.4% and 40.6% but 99.7% and 50.7% in aerobic/anaerobic/aerobic SFCWs with aeration (O-A-O SFCWs with aeration) treatment. Aeration in the front and in the rear, and anaerobic treatment in the middle was used in this treatment. Removal efficiency of NH4(+)-N in O-A-O SFCWs with aeration treatment was 100%, while that of O-A-O SFCWs without aeration was about 50%. The removal efficiencies of NH4(+) -N in new SFCWs with aeration in the front and in the rear were increased by 82.81% and 17.91% but 73.16% in the middle. It shows that aeration can significantly improve the removal efficiency of nitrogen, especially NH4(+)-N. Aeration in the front and back can greatly improve the removal efficiency NH4(+)-N and TN. But aeration resulting to oxygen-rich environment is not conducive to the denitrification, which will be an important factor of limiting the TN removal efficiency.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water
Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
Comparative Excretory Systems
The Nitrogen Cycle

