Potential use of mangroves as constructed wetland for municipal sewage treatment in Futian, Shenzhen, China

Q. Yang, N. F.Y. Tam, Y. S. Wong, T. G. Luan, W. S. Su, C. Y. Lan, P. K.S. Shin, S. G. Cheung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

111 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A pilot-scale mangrove wetland was constructed in Futian, Shenzhen for municipal sewage treatment. Three identical belts (length: 33 m, width: 3 m, depth: 0.5 m) were filled with stone (bottom), gravel and mangrove sand (surface). Seedlings of two native mangrove species (Kandelia candel, Aegiceras corniculatum) and one exotic species (Sonneratia caseolaris) were transplanted to the belts with one species for each belt. The hydraulic loading was 5 m3 d-1 and hydraulic retention time 3 d. High levels of removal of COD, BOD5, TN, TP and NH3-N were obtained. The treatment efficiency of S. caseolaris and A. corniculatum was higher than that of K. candel. Faster plant growth was obtained for S. caseolaris. The substrate in the S. caseolaris belt also showed higher enzyme activities including dehydrogenase, cellulase, phosphatase, urease and β-glucosidase. The removal rates of organic matter and nutrients were positively correlated with plant growth. The results indicated that mangroves could be used in a constructed wetland for municipal sewage treatment, providing post-treatment to remove coliforms was also included.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)735-743
Number of pages9
JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume57
Issue number6-12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Constructed wetland
  • Mangrove
  • Nutrients removal
  • Substrate enzyme

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