125
Months
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
COD, mg/L
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
Influent
Cyperus ligularis
Echinochloa colonum
Months
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
NH 4 + -N, mg/L
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
105
120
Influent
Cyperus ligularis
Echinochloa colonum
Figure 1. Average concentrations of influent and effluent concentrations of COD and
ammonium-N as a function of time and macrophytes.
The NH
4
+
–N removal rates were higher, in planted systems with
C. ligularis
(60%) as
compared to the
E. colonum
(45%). It is probable that these differences are influenced by
dynamics plant growth in each species.
Conclusions
This short-term study revealed that the two local aquatic plants
C. ligularis
and
E. colonum
enhanced treatment processes and can be recommended for use in constructed wetlands in
the Colombian Caribbean coast and likely in additional areas.
Acknowledgements
Centro de Estudios del Agua of the Universidad del Atlántico who facilitated facilities to
advance research laboratories.
References
APHA-AWWA-WPCF. 2005. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th ed. American Public Health Association. Washington, DC.
Kadlec, R.., H., & Wallace S., D.2009. Treatment wetlands. Second Edition. Taylor and
Francis Group, CRP Press. Boca Ratón, Fl. USA. 1016
Vymazal, J. 2013. The use of hybrid constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment with
special attention to nitrogen removal: A review of a recent development. Water Research
47. 4795-4811
Vega, H. J., J. C. Lancheros y A. Caselles-Osorio. 2013. Organic matter and nitrogen
removal in horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands planted with
Cyperus
articulatus
. Libro de abstracts. Quinto simposio internacional sobre dinámica y control de
contaminación en humedales - Wetpol 2013. Nantes-Francia. 229 p
