SCERP Project Number: W18
Principal Investigator: Walter H. Zachritz, II
New Mexico State University
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Subsurface flow constructed wetlands (SF) or artificial wetlands filter (AWF) systems have been examined for potential use in effective removal of complex halogenated and nonhalogenated organic compounds from various waste streams. While numerous studies have been conducted to examine the potential of AWF systems to treat domestic wastewater, landfill leachate, acid mine drainage, and stabilization lagoon effluent, little has been done with respect to their use for the removal of aromatic and halogenated organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylenes (BTXs), phenol, pentachlorophenol, and oily wastes. Our study explores the capacity of an AWF system to remove chloroaromatic organic compounds as represented by tri-and pentachlorophenol. Six small, pilot-scale AWF systems that run on a continuous flow basis were tested for degradation of tri- and pentachlorophenol. Effectiveness of vegetation (Scirpus validus), the microbial population, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and evapotranspiration were also examined. Initial results indicate that the systems can be effective at removing the target compounds, but some problems were noted with short circuiting reactor configuration. Short circuiting appears to be due to high plant density evapotranspiration losses coupled with the shallow reactor design. Deep reactor configurations are recommended.
Key Words: submerged surface constructed wetlands, tri- chlorophenol, pentachlorophenol, hazardous waste, biodegradation.
The FY91 SCERP-supported phase of this project:: W-4
The FY92 SCERP-supported phase of this project: W-18
The FY93 SCERP-supported phase of this project:: WQ93-10
Last updated 7/1/99