Volume 141, 1 August 2014, Pages 116–131
Review
Application of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in developing countries – A review of recent developments (2000–2013)
Highlights
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- The application of CW systems in developing countries is reviewed.
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- Emphasis is placed on the treatment performance of various types of CWs.
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- The impact of CW design and operational modes on removal efficiencies is examined.
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- The cost and land requirements for CW systems are evaluated.
Abstract
Inadequate
access to clean water and sanitation has become one of the most
pervasive problems afflicting people throughout the developing world.
Replication of centralized water-, energy- and cost-intensive
technologies has proved ineffective in resolving the complex
water-related problems resulting from rapid urbanization in the
developing countries. Instead constructed wetlands (CWs) have emerged
and become a viable option for wastewater treatment, and are currently
being recognized as attractive alternatives to conventional wastewater
treatment methods. The primary objective of this review is to present a
comprehensive overview of the diverse range of practice, applications
and researches of CW systems for removing various contaminants from
wastewater in developing countries, placing them in the overall context
of the need for low-cost and sustainable wastewater treatment systems.
Emphasis of this review is placed on the treatment performance of
various types of CWs including: (i) free water surface flow CW; (ii)
subsurface flow CW; (iii) hybrid systems; and, (iv) floating treatment
wetland. The impacts of different wetland design and pertinent
operational variables (e.g., hydraulic loading rate, vegetation species,
physical configurations, and seasonal variation) on contaminant removal
in CW systems are also summarized and highlighted. Finally, the cost
and land requirements for CW systems are critically evaluated.
Keywords
- Constructed wetlands;
- Wastewater treatment;
- Developing countries
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+65 6790 6619; fax: +65 6790 6620.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
