Removal of nutrients in saline wastewater using constructed wetlands: Plant species, influent loads and salinity levels as influencing factors

This study aims to evaluate how plant species, influent loads and salinity levels affect the removal of nutrients from saline wastewater using constructed wetlands (CWs). CWs planted with Canna indica showed the greatest removal percentages among the four tested species for nitrogen (N) (similar to 100%) at both low and high influent loads, and similar to 100% and 93.8% for phosphorus (P) at low and high influent loads, respectively at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 7 mS/cm (25 degrees C). The influence of different salinity levels on plant assimilation of N and P varied with their respective concentrations; salinity (e.g., EC at 7,10 and 15 mS/cm) even enhanced plant absorption of N and P under specific conditions. In conclusion, CWs planted with selected species can be used for the removal of N and P under a range of different salinity levels (e.g., EC at 7, 10 and 15 mS/cm, 25 degrees C). (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.