Floating islands are a form of treatment wetland characterized by a mat of synthetic matrix at the water surface into which macrophytes can be planted and through which water passes. We evaluated two matrix materials for treating domestic wastewater, recycled plastic and recycled carpet fibers, for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrogen removal. These materials were compared to pea gravel or open water (control). Experiments were conducted in laboratory scale columns fed with synthetic wastewater containing COD, organic and inorganic nitrogen, and mineral salts. Columns were unplanted, naturally inoculated, and operated in batch mode with continuous recirculation and aeration. COD was efficiently removed in all systems examined (>90% removal). Ammonia was efficiently removed by nitrification. Removal of total dissolved N was ∼50% by day 28, by which time most remaining nitrogen was present as NO3-N. Complete removal of NO3-N by denitrification was accomplished by dosing columns with molasses. Microbial communities of interest were visualized with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) by targeting specific functional genes. Shifts in the denitrifying community were observed post-molasses addition, when nitrate levels decreased. The conditioning time for reliable nitrification was determined to be approximately three months. These results suggest that floating treatment wetlands are a viable alternative for domestic wastewater treatment.
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Research Article|
November 01 2011
Floating treatment wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment
J. L. Faulwetter;
J. L. Faulwetter
1Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717, USA
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M. D. Burr;
M. D. Burr
1Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717, USA
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A. B. Cunningham;
A. B. Cunningham
2Department of Civil Engineering and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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F. M. Stewart;
F. M. Stewart
3Stewart Engineering, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
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A. K. Camper;
A. K. Camper
2Department of Civil Engineering and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
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O. R. Stein
2Department of Civil Engineering and Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
E-mail: [email protected]
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Water Sci Technol (2011) 64 (10): 2089–2095.
Article history
Received:
October 26 2010
Accepted:
March 01 2011
Citation
J. L. Faulwetter, M. D. Burr, A. B. Cunningham, F. M. Stewart, A. K. Camper, O. R. Stein; Floating treatment wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment. Water Sci Technol 1 November 2011; 64 (10): 2089–2095. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.576
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