Effect of HRT on nitrogen removal in a coupled HRP and unplanted subsurface flow gravel bed constructed wetland

This paper discusses the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on nitrogen removal in a coupled high rate pond (HRP) and a gravel bed subsurface constructed wetland (SSCW) wastewater treatment plant. A pilot plant consisting of a high rate pond (HRT) coupled to an unplanted gravel bed subsurface constructed wetland (SSCW) was used to investigate nitrogen removal from domestic wastewater at the University of Dar es Salaam. The influent, which is predominantly of domestic origin, was drawn from the facultative pond unit of the university's waste stabilisation pond system. The pilot plant's HRP unit, which was 0.6 m deep, was designed to nitrify the influent while SSCW unit, which was filled to 10cm above water level with 19-mm diameter aggregates, was predominantly anoxic and promoted denitrification. The study was conducted at two different operational settings. In Phase 1, both the HRP and the SSCW units had a retention time of 5 days. During Phase 2, the hydraulic retention time in HRP was increased to 8 days while the retention time of the SSCW unit was maintained at 5 days. Samples were collected daily for laboratory analysis of influent and effluent wastewater quality. All experiments were conducted in accordance with Standard Methods. The results showed that improved nitrogen removal occurred with increase in hydraulic time of the HRP unit. In Phase I an average nitrogen removal of 33% was achieved while removal efficiency improved to 43% in Phase 2. It was also revealed that the HRP can effectively be used to promote nitrification and the unplanted gravel bed subsurface constructed wetland can be used as a denitrifying unit. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.