USING CONSTRUCTED WETLAND SYSTEMS TO REMOVE SOLIDS FROM HIGHLY POLLUTED RIVER WATER

A pilot-scale constructed wetlands system containing free surface flow wetland followed by a subsurface flow wetland was set up to treat the Erh-Ren river water, one of the most polluted watercourse in Southern Taiwan. Efficiency of removing of suspended solids enhanced by the presence of healthy macrophytes but they nevertheless provide barriers for filtration, reduce sunlight penetration and supply oxygen to improve biodegradation of organic solids and absorb nutrients to limit the growth of algae. Impact of seasonal change on the overall efficiency.