Purification of fuel and nitrate contaminated ground water using a free water surface constructed wetland plant

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Journal of Environmental Quality

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1999.00472425002800050034x· OSTI ID:20006657

Machate, T; Heuermann, E; Schramm, K W; Kettrup, A

Contaminated ground water from a former coke plant site was purified in a free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland plant during a 3-mo short-term experiment. The pilot plant (total surface area 27 m{sup 2}) was filled with a 1 m thick lava-gravel substrate planted with cattail (Typha spp.) and bulrush (Scirpus lacustrls). Major contaminants were low to moderate concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, BTEX, nitrate, and nitrite. The wetland was dosed at hydraulic loading rates of q{sub A} = 4.8 and 9.6 cm d{sup {minus}1} with a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 13.7 and 6.8 d. The surface removal rates of PAH were between 98.8 and 1914 mg m{sup {minus}2} d{sup {minus}1}. Efficiency was always {gt}99%. Extraction of lava gravel showed that approx. 0.4% of the applied PAH were retained on the substratum. The ratio of {Sigma}2,3-ring PAH and {Sigma}4,5,6-ring PAH showed a shift from 1:0.11 in water to 1:2.5 in lava. The removal of BTEX was {gt}99%, but might be in part due to volatilization. The efficiency in the removal of nitrate was 91% and of nitrite was 97%. Purification performance was not influenced by hydraulic loading rates or after die-back of the macrophytes.

• Research Organization: Umweltschutz Sued GmbH and Co., Muenchen (DE)
• OSTI ID: 20006657
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Quality, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Quality Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 28; ISSN JEVQAA; ISSN 0047-2425
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
BENZENE
BIODEGRADATION
GROUND WATER
NITRATES
NITRITES
PLANTS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
REMEDIAL ACTION
WATER POLLUTION