THE USE OF MICROBIAL TRACERS TO MONITOR SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN EFFLUENT RETENTION IN A CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

Evaluation of the seasonal variation of effluent retention time in a constructed free water surface wetland and demonstration of the successful use of bacteriophage MS2 and Enterobacter cloacae phage as biotracers through a practical, preferable and environmentally acceptable alternative to existing chemical methods. Thus, the removal of indicator bacteria is highlighted as a useful technique to monitor wetland performance.