• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.49-55
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• 2003

Total phosphorous removal rate was examined of a subsurface-flow treatment wetland system which was constructed on floodplain in the down reach of the Kwangju Stream in Korea from May to June 2001. Its dimensions were 29 meter in length, 9 meter in width and 0.65 meter in depth. A bottom layer of 45 cm in depth was filled with crushed granite with about 15~30 mm in diameter and a middle layer of 10 cm in depth had pea pebbles with about 10 mm in diameter. An upper layer of 5 cm in depth contained course sand. Reeds(Phragmites australis) were transplanted on the surface of the system. They were dug out of natural wetlands and stems were cut at about 40 cm height from their bottom ends. Water of the Kwangju Stream flowed from a submerged dam into it via a pipe by gravity flow and treated effluent was funneled back into the Stream. The number of reed stems increased from 80 stems/$m^2$ in July 2001 to 136 stems/$m^2$ in September 2001. The hight of stems was 44.2 cm in July 2001 and 75.3 cm in September 2001. The establishment of reeds at early operating stage of the system was good. Volume and water quality of inflow and outflow were investigated from July 2001 through December 2001. The average inflow was 40 $m^3$/day and hydraulic detention time was about 1.5 days. The concentration of total phosphorous n influent and effluent was 0.83 and 0.33 mg/L, respectively. The removal rate of total phosphorous averaged about 60%. The removal efficiency was slightly higher, compared with that of subsurface-flow wetlands operating in North America, whose retention rate of total phosphorous was reported to be about 56%. The good abatement rate could be attributed to sedimentation of particle phosphorous in pores of the media and adsorption of phosphorous to the biofilm developed on the surface of them. Increase of standing density of reeds within a few years will develop root zones which may lead to increment in the phosphorous retention rate.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.546-556
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to improve the polluted stream water quality by pilot-scale five different constructed wetlands (CWs). Cell 1 to 3 are newly designed 2SFCW (Surface-subsurface flow CW) with 1 to 3 flow shifters (FS) in the middle of the wetland system. Cell 4 and 5 are control CW (CCW), but Cell 5 is the same type as Cell 3. The FS, which converts the route of surface and subsurface flow between two wetlands connected in series, was able to enhance the treatability of TN via nitrification and denitrification and of SS due to filtration and sedimentation. The void fraction and dispersion number of Cell 1, 2 and 3 obtained from the RTD analysis were found to be 0.73 and 0.17, respectively. COD and TP removal efficiencies of Cell 1 to 3 were similar to that of Cell 4 and 5. SS removal efficiencies of Cell 1 to 3 and 5 with FS were 5-10% higher than that of Cell 4 without FS. TN removal efficiencies of Cell 1 to 3 were 3-14% higher than that of Cell 4 and 5. The average $R^2$ values of COD, SS, TN and TP obtained from nonlinear regression analysis were similar to the results of other researchers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.56-63
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• 2001

This paper presents treatment efficiency and plant growth of a subsurface-flow constructed wetland system (23 m in length, 6.5 m in width, 0.65 m in depth) over one year after its establishment on floodplain of a stream in June 2000. An upper layer of 10 cm in depth was filled with course sand and the main biological layer of 50 cm depth with crushed stone with 8 - 15 mm in diameter. The system was planted with common reeds (Phragmites australis) grown on pots. Effluent discharged from a secondary-level treatment plant was funneled into it. Reed stems emerging in April 2001 grew up to 145.9cm until July 2001. The number of reed stems in July 2001 increased by about 11 times compared with that just after planting. The system was inundated seven times by storms over the monitoring period. Reeds were slightly bent after flooding, however they returned to almost upright standing in a couple of weeks. Small portion of inside slope of berm was eroded and the system surface had a sedimentation of 2 - 3 mm in depth. The average removal rates for SS, $BOD_5$, T-N and T-P was 73%, 70%, 53%, and 72%, respectively. The purification efficiencies for SS and $BOD_5$ were fairly good. The reduction rates for T-N was relatively low for the period of late fall through winter until early spring due to lower water temperature which retarded microbial nitrification and denitrification mechanisms. Reduction in the concentration of T-P during fall and winter was relatively higher than that during spring. Leach of phosphorous from plant litters lying on system surface and slight resuspension of precipitated phosphorous in substrates resulted in lower reduction for T-P in spring.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2018

The function of vertical subsurface flow wetlands can potentially be reduced with time due to clogging and are often assumed to be occurring when ponding and overflow is observed during rainfall. To investigate their clogging potential, three pilot-scale vertical subsurface flow (VSF) wetland systems were constructed employing woodchip, pumice, and volcanic gravel as main media. The systems received stormwater runoff from a highway bridge for seven months, after which the media were taken out and divided into layers to determine the amount and characteristics of the accumulated clogging matters. Findings revealed that the main clogging mechanism was the deposition of suspended solids. This is followed by the growth of biofilm in the media which is more evident in the wetland employing woodchip. Up to more than 30% of the clogging matter were found in the upper 20 cm of the media suggesting that this layer will need replacement once clogging occurs. Moreover, no signs of clogging were observed in all the wetlands during the operation period even though an estimation of at least 2 months without clogging was calculated. This was attributed to the intermittent loading mode of operation that gave way for the decomposition of organic matters during the resting period and potentially restored the pore volume.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-122
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• 2009

Abatements of TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N in a horizontal subsurface-flow wetland with litter layer on its surface were compared with those without one. The wetland was constructed in 2001 on floodplain of the Gwangju Stream which flows through Gwangju City in Korea. Its dimensions were 29m in length, 9m in width and 0.65m in depth. A bottom layer of 45cm was filled with crushed granites (15~40mm in diameter) and a middle layer of 10cm had pea pebbles. An upper layer of 5cm contained coarse sands. Reeds (Phragmites australis) growing in natural wetlands were transplanted on its surface. Water of the stream was channelled into the wetland by gravity flow and its effluent was discharged back into the stream. Average Litter layer of 12.2cm was formed on its surface in 2007. The layer and above-ground parts of reeds were eliminated in April 2008. Volumes and water quality of influent and effluent of the wetland were analyzed from May to November in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Inflow into the wetland both in 2007 and 2008 averaged approximately 40$m^3$/day and hydraulic residence time both in 2007 and 2008 was about 1.5days. Influent TN concentration in 2007 and 2008 averaged 3.96 and 3.89mg/L, respectively and average influent ${NO_3}^-$-N concentration in 2007 and 2008 was 2.11 and 2.05mg/L, respectively. With a 0.05 significance level, influent concentrations of TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N, temperatures and pH of effluent, and heights and stem numbers of reeds showed no difference between the wetland with litter layer and without one. TN retention in the wetland with litter layer and without one averaged 64,76 and 54.69%, respectively and ${NO_3}^-$-N removal averaged 60.83 and 50.61%, respectively. Both TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N abatement rates in the wetland with litter layer were significantly high (TN abatement: p<0,001, ${NO_3}^-$-N abatement: p=0.001) when compared with those without one. The subsurface-flow wetland having litter layer on its surface was more efficient for TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N removal.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.242-251
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• 2021

Surface water pollution is a serious environmental problem in developing countries, like India, due to the unregulated discharge of untreated wastewater. To overcome this, the constructed wetlands (CWs) have been proven to be an efficient technology for wastewater treatment. In this study, different existing and experimental facilities were reviewed to be able to determine the current status of constructed wetlands in India. Based on the collected data from published literature, industrial wastewater contained the highest average chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). In terms of total nitrogen (TN), Total phosphorous (TP), the lowest concentration was found on domestic wastewater. Vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) and Horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCW) were more effective in removing TSS, BOD, TP in domestic and industrial wastewater, whereas hybrid constructed wetlands (HCW) showed the highest removal for COD. The use of constructed wetlands as advanced wastewater treatment facilities in India yielded better water quality. The treatment of wastewater using constructed wetlands also enabled further reuse of wastewater for irrigation and other agricultural purposes. Overall, this study can be beneficial in evaluating and promoting the use of constructed wetlands in India.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.142-148
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• 2017

Nitrogen and phosphorus are key factors in causing eutrophication of water body. In this study, ceramics media was selected to increase the removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus. We designed vertical, horizontal flow constructed wetlands to create aerobic and anaerobic flow conditions by using the media, then proceeded to performance evaluations after acrylic reactors were produced. In the case of vertical and horizontal flow constructed wetlands, we measured oxygen concentrations to evaluate aerobic and anaerobic conditions. we got the result of 2.7 mg/L in the aerobic condition, N.D in the anaerobic condition respectively, which suited our purpose. The result of the combined vertical and horizontal flow condition showed that the removal efficiency of SS was 94%, 91%, 61% at 140 min, 80 min, 60 min of running times, respectively, and the removal efficiency of T-P was 84%, 71%, 63% during each running time. In case of T-N, the removal efficiency was 63%, 49%, 42% during each running time. We found that the reactor exerted better removal efficiency when in the short time compared to 12 - 24 hr residence time of existing wetlands. In this study, we conducted experiments to explore functional effects after applying combined vertical and horizontal flow methods in the field. Further study will be carried out to identify its mechanism and administrative perspective.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.59-69
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• 2004

Constructed wetlands are regarded as an important water treatment system for agricultural water quality improvement and management. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of subsurface flow wetland(SFW), using the Pharagmites australis as macrophytes, and to clarify the basic and essential factors to be considered in the construction and management of constructed wetlands. This study was carried out relatively short hydraulic residence time(HRT), 6hr ~ 72hr (3days), using eutrophic reservoir water with relatively low concentrations of influent and large quantity to be treated. The effluent satisfied the criteria of agricultural water quality. Removal efficiencies of Biochemical oxygen demand(BOD), Chemical oxygen demand(COD), Suspended solids(SS) and Chlorophyll a(Chl-a) were high in HRT 24hr, not any more significant increasement of removal efficiencies in HRT 48hr and 72hr. However, removal efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus increased as HRT increased, showing the highest efficiency at the 72hr of HRT in nitrogen, and 48hr in phosphorous. The SFW was very effective system for reservoir water quality improvement, and had the advantages of the reduction of purchasing cost to land required, lack of odors, and harmful insects, especially mosquito, the improvement of the scenic beauty and minimal risk of public exposure. Therefore, it was evaluated that the SFW was very available water treatment system for the water quality improvement of agricultural reservoir. However, it was need to consider with application of the SFW in high cost of construction and troublesome of management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.379-392
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• 2010

In these days, constructed wetlands are applied in Korea for various purposes ; post-treatment of effluent in wastewater treatment, management of stormwater and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. However, the removal mechanisms for water pollutant in constructed wetlands are not clearly understood because they are affected by climate, influent characteristics and local constraints. Therefore, this paper is focused on the process that the pollutant, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, of the wetland is removed by. In this study, the main nitrogen removal is performed by nitrification/denitrification mechanism in the rhizosphere of constructed wetlands. And the majority of the phosphorus is removed by adsorption on the substrate of wetland. However the fate of phosphorus in wetlands can be diverse depending on the Oxidation Reduction Potential(ORP), adsorption/desorption, precipitation/dissolution, microbial effect, etc.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2008

The application of constructed subsurface-flow wetlands for treatment of wastewater from abandoned mines is being increased. Crushed limestone, oak chips, and mushroom composites are often employed in a bulk form, as the substrates in the bed media. Efficiency of the subsurface-flow treatment system drops with time as the hydraulic conductivity of the wetland soil decreases significantly, presumably due to chemical reactions with the wastewater. The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of immobilized beads carrying sulfate reducing bacteria for acid mine drainage treatment system. The ingredients of immobilized beads are organic materials such as mushroom composite and oak chips, limestone powder for a pH buffer, mixed with a modified Coleville Synthetic Brine. It was found that immobilized beads are more efficient than the bulk form for pH recovery, sulfate and heavy metal removal.