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Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Mesocosm-Scale Constructed Wetland Design for Wastewater Treatment
Published on: May 2, 2025
Effects of plant on denitrification pathways in integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland treating swine
Lu Du1, Yuqing Zhao2, Chuan Wang3
1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, PR China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, PR China.
Abstract:
Plant is an important part of constructed wetland (CW), while, its potential effect on nitrogen cycling is complicated. Herein, integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland (IVCW) in pilot-scale planted with Arundo donax (Planted System, PS) was constructed to treat swine wastewater. The removal performance of nitrogen in PS, effects of plant on the microbial community structure and nitrogen related function genes were revealed. Results showed that, Arundo donax planting enhanced the removal rate of TN, compared to unplanted IVCWs, the absolute abundance of Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Bacillus in PS was significantly increased, as well as the absolute abundance of functional gene (amoA, nxrA, nirK, nirS and nosZ). The denitrification process was mainly occurred in down-flow cell of PS with significantly higher abundant of nirK and nosZ (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that Arundo donax planting in IVCWs with zeolite as substrate promoted the growth of denitrifying microorganisms under higher pollutant load. In addition, the increased abundant of nosZ and the ratio of nosZ/∑nir indicating a lower genetic potential for N2O release. Our research provides new insight into the potential application of plant on the purification of swine wastewater.
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