Advantages and disadvantages of artificial wetland sewage treatment technology-Fornitore globale

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Advantages and disadvantages of artificial wetland sewage treatment technology

According to the main plant forms in wetlands, artificial wetlands can be divided into: 1. phytoplankton system; 2. Emergent plant system; 3. Submerged plant system. The submerged plant system is still in the laboratory research stage, and its main application areas are in the precision treatment after primary and secondary treatment. Phytoplankton are mainly used for N and P removal and to improve the efficiency of traditional stable ponds.
At present, the commonly referred artificial wetland system refers to the emergent plant system. The emergent plant system can be divided into surface flow wetlands (SFW), subsurface flow wetlands (SSFW), and vertical flow wetlands (VFW) based on the way wastewater flows through. Surface flow wetlands and vertical flow wetlands are no longer commonly used due to poor environmental conditions (easy breeding of mosquitoes and insects), significant impact of temperature on treatment effectiveness, and high infrastructure requirements. Therefore, most artificial wetlands adopt subsurface flow wetland systems.
The artificial wetland sewage treatment system is a comprehensive ecosystem with the following advantages:
① Low construction and operation costs;
② Easy to maintain, low technical content;
③ Effective and reliable wastewater treatment can be carried out;
④ Can buffer the impact on hydraulic and pollution loads;
⑤ Can provide and indirectly provide benefits, such as aquatic products, livestock, papermaking raw materials, building materials, greening, wildlife habitat, entertainment, and education.
But there are also shortcomings:
① Large footprint;
② Vulnerable to pests and diseases;
③ The complexity of biology and hydraulics has increased our understanding of their treatment mechanisms, process dynamics, and influencing factors. As a result, the design and operation parameters are not precise, leading to the inability to meet design requirements or discharge standards due to improper design. Some constructed wetlands have become sources of pollution.
According to existing data, as the density of plants on the upper and lower surfaces increases, the treatment efficiency of artificial wetland systems improves. To achieve its optimal efficiency, it takes 2-3 growth cycles, so it takes several years to reach fully stable operation after construction. Therefore, the biggest problem with current artificial wetland technology is the lack of detailed information on long-term operating systems.