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Seasonal Variability in Benzene Removal by Vertical-Flow Constructed Wetland Filters

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Abstract

A long-term study (April 2005 to June 2007) was conducted to assess the seasonal variability in benzene removal by experimental vertical-flow constructed wetlands planted with Phragmites australis (common reeds). The benzene removal efficiency was constant and high (90–100%) during the first year of operation. However, seasonal variability in benzene removal was apparent after January 2006. The highest and lowest benzene removal efficiencies occurred in March and December, respectively. Approximately 8 g (added to the influent every second week) of the slow-releasing N–P–K Miracle-Gro fertiliser was sufficient to treat 1,000 mg/l benzene. Results based on linear regressions indicated that the seasonal benzene removal efficiency was negatively correlated and closely linked to the seasonal effluent dissolved oxygen and NO3–N concentrations, whilst positively correlated and closely linked to the seasonal effluent pH and redox values. Temperature and effluent NH4–N and PO4 3−P concentrations were weakly linked to seasonal benzene removal efficiencies.

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Acknowledgements

Mr. Xianqiang Tang received a PhD scholarship from the China Scholarship Council, National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 50479034). He is a PhD student at Nankai University as well as a visiting PhD student at The University of Edinburgh. The authors wish to acknowledge further funding received from the first and second Executive Governor of Ebonyi State (Dr. Sam Egwu), Prof. Ozo N. Ozo and from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (Nigeria) for Mr. Paul Eke’s PhD study. Dr Scholz is a Visiting Professor at Nankai University. The technical assistance of various visiting researchers and final year project students is acknowledged.

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  1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China

    Xianqiang Tang & Suiliang Huang

  2. Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, School of Engineering and Electronics, The University of Edinburgh, William Rankine Building, The King’s Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JN, Scotland, UK

    Paul Emeka Eke & Miklas Scholz

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  1. Xianqiang Tang
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Correspondence to Miklas Scholz.

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Tang, X., Eke, P.E., Scholz, M. et al. Seasonal Variability in Benzene Removal by Vertical-Flow Constructed Wetland Filters. Water Air Soil Pollut 202, 259–272 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9974-7

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