Removal of organic matter and nitrogen in an horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetland under transient loads

A monitoring campaign in a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland under the influence of transient loads of flow-rate, organic matter, nitrogen and suspended solids showed an irregular removal of COD and TSS and lower both removal efficiencies and mass removal rates than the ones observed in other studies for similar operating conditions. This circumstance is associated to the presence of large amount of particulate organic matter from non-point sources. The mass removal rate of ammonia increased 39% as both the water and soil temperatures increased from weeks 1–8 to weeks 9–14. A good correlation between mass load and mass removal rate was observed for all measured parameters, which attests a satisfactory response of the bed under to transient loads.