Investigation into the kinetics of constructed wetland degradation processes as a precursor to biomimetic design

Abstract

In this study, biomimetic principles were incorporated into a kinetic study of a pilot-scale, horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland (6.0 m × 1.0 m × 0.5 m) in Leipzig, Germany. The bed contained glacial gravel (4–8 mm) planted with Phragmites australis. Construction was completed in October 2013 and experiments commenced in August 2015. During establishment, the system was fed with only municipal tap water (165 L·d −1). The Phragmites root system had penetrated to the bottom of the wetland within 18 months. To break into the constructed wetland ‘black box’, the system was divided into a three-dimensional grid of sample ports. Initially, the wetland was physicochemically characterized (prior to addition of nutrients from an external source) in order to quantify the natural, baseline state. Thereafter, an impulse-response tracer test was conducted, using a fluorometer, for continual measurement of uranine concentration. 100% tracer recovery was achieved.

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