Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Mesocosm-Scale Constructed Wetland Design for Wastewater Treatment
Published on: May 2, 2025
Performance assessment and microbial diversity of two pilot scale multi-stage sub-surface flow constructed wetland
A O Babatunde1, Raul Miranda-CasoLuengo2, Mehreen Imtiaz2
1Hydro-environmental Research Centre, Institute of Environment and Sustainability, Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Queen's Buildings, The Parade, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, UK; UCD School of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Newstead Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Abstract:
This study assessed the performance and diversity of microbial communities in multi-stage sub-surface flow constructed wetland systems (CWs). Our aim was to assess the impact of configuration on treatment performance and microbial diversity in the systems. Results indicate that at loading rates up to 100gBOD5/(m(2)·day), similar treatment performances can be achieved using either a 3 or 4 stage configuration. In the case of phosphorus (P), the impact of configuration was less obvious and a minimum of 80% P removal can be expected for loadings up to 10gP/(m(2)·day) based on the performance results obtained within the first 16months of operation. Microbial analysis showed an increased bacterial diversity in stage four compared to the first stage. These results indicate that the design and configuration of multi-stage constructed wetland systems may have an impact on the treatment performance and the composition of the microbial community in the systems, and such knowledge can be used to improve their design and performance.
