Journal of Environmental Biology

Treatment of campus wastewater by a pilot-scale constructed wetland utilizing Typha latifolia, Juncus acutus and Iris versicolor

 

Zeynep Zaimoglu

Faculty of Engineering-Arch, Department of Environmental Engineering,

University of Cukurova, 01330 Balcali-Adana, Turkey

 

(Received: 18 November, 2004 ; Accepted: 08 February, 2005)

 

Abstract: Constructed wetland is a popular treatment method for different sources of wastewaters, being an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods that have operational and financial restrictions, especially for decentralized wastewater systems. A pilot-scale, continuous flow, subsurface flow wetland was constructed at the Cukurova University in Adana, Turkey. The system works on a multi-culture planting texture employing Typha latifolia, Junkus acutus and Iris versicolor. Removal efficiency of the system was observed for approximately one year with 1.2 m³/h steady inflow rate. Removal rates of 89.0?10.6%, 76.7?8.3% and 68.8?5.9% were achieved for TSS, COD and BOD₅, respectively. A high removal (95.4?8.3%) for fecal coliform was also observed. The obtained results imply that constructed wetlands are suitable for treatment of wastewaters originating from campuses in arid climate.

 

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