Evaluating and Troubleshooting of Nitrogen Removal in a Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment
Date of Award
8-2010
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Geological and Environmental Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Daniel Cassidy
Second Advisor
Dr. R.V. Krishnamurthy
Third Advisor
Dr. Duane Hampton
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment have become popular in remote areas. The site wetland is a Subsurface Flow Construted Wetland (SSFCW), where wastewater flows through through a soil of high porosity and emergent plants with deep root systems are intended to bring oxygen to the wastewater. This aeration is universally problematic, causing insufficient nitrogen removal. The wastewater is domestic sewage pumped from the septic tanks, to an aeration tank, and then through two parallel SSFCW cells. Nitrogen removal begins with ammonification, which occurs in the septic tanks. This is followed by nitrification, an aerobic process that only occurs after the carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand is consumed; function of the aeration tank in the absence of aerobic conditions in the SSFCW. Denitrification is the final step occurring in the SSFCW. Data suggested that an increase in aeration will result in an increase in nitrification. Data showed that there was an increase in nitrification in the aeration tank on numerous occasions. Ultimately more time in the oxygenated environment is necessary for nitrification to occur on a regular basis. These results have potential applications for all SSFCWs.
Recommended Citation
Good, Meghan O., "Evaluating and Troubleshooting of Nitrogen Removal in a Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment" (2010). Masters Theses. 356.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/356