The suitability of constructed wetland (CW) in were developed. The first experiment focused on zinc and treating acid mine drainage (AMD) was investigated. Two experiments nutrients removals. Four units of horizon...The suitability of constructed wetland (CW) in were developed. The first experiment focused on zinc and treating acid mine drainage (AMD) was investigated. Two experiments nutrients removals. Four units of horizontal subsurface flow CWs were used, two cells planted with Phragmites mauritianus, one cell with Typha domingensis and one cell unplanted (control cell). Artificial high concentrated AMD was used. It was mixed with domestic wastewater from the anaerobic waste stabilization pond (WSP) to ensure nutrient supply to the plants in the CW cells. The second experiment tested the tolerance of locally available macrophytes to the harsh acidic environment, while providing required condition for treatment of AMD. To accomplish this, another set of four CW cells planted with different types of macrophytes, namely Typha domingensis, Phragmites mauritianus, Vetiver grass and Papyrus, were used thereby subjecting them to varying acid concentration ofpH of 3.5, 3.0, 2.9 and 2.7. The study demonstrated adequate zinc removal from AMD which is related to sulphide precipitation. A CW cell planted with Typha domingensis showed higher zinc removal (80%-84%) compared to other cells. Different macrophytes showed different nutrient removal efficiency, but overall, for the type of wetland plants studied, phosphorous removal increased with decreasing pH while nitrogen removal behaved quite opposite. On the other hand, Typha domingensis, Phragmites mauritianus and Papyrus were observed to tolerate high acidity as low pH as 2.7 and therefore are suitable macrophytes for AMD treatment with CW.展开更多
文摘The suitability of constructed wetland (CW) in were developed. The first experiment focused on zinc and treating acid mine drainage (AMD) was investigated. Two experiments nutrients removals. Four units of horizontal subsurface flow CWs were used, two cells planted with Phragmites mauritianus, one cell with Typha domingensis and one cell unplanted (control cell). Artificial high concentrated AMD was used. It was mixed with domestic wastewater from the anaerobic waste stabilization pond (WSP) to ensure nutrient supply to the plants in the CW cells. The second experiment tested the tolerance of locally available macrophytes to the harsh acidic environment, while providing required condition for treatment of AMD. To accomplish this, another set of four CW cells planted with different types of macrophytes, namely Typha domingensis, Phragmites mauritianus, Vetiver grass and Papyrus, were used thereby subjecting them to varying acid concentration ofpH of 3.5, 3.0, 2.9 and 2.7. The study demonstrated adequate zinc removal from AMD which is related to sulphide precipitation. A CW cell planted with Typha domingensis showed higher zinc removal (80%-84%) compared to other cells. Different macrophytes showed different nutrient removal efficiency, but overall, for the type of wetland plants studied, phosphorous removal increased with decreasing pH while nitrogen removal behaved quite opposite. On the other hand, Typha domingensis, Phragmites mauritianus and Papyrus were observed to tolerate high acidity as low pH as 2.7 and therefore are suitable macrophytes for AMD treatment with CW.