NUTRIENT REDUCTION IN AN IN-SERIES CONSTRUCTED WETLAND SYSTEM TREATING LANDFILL LEACHATE

The effectiveness of an in-series surface flow constructed wetland des igned to treat landfill leachate was determined by conducting pollutan t removal efficiency studies over a 4 month period. The first step in the study involved the characterization of the leachate generated with in the landfill. At the same time, ten in-series parallel wetlands wit h a 10:1 length to aspect ratio were constructed, with each cell desig ned for a maximum water depth of 0.5m. Cells were planted with a varie ty of vascular aquatic plants including Sagittaria spp., Pontedaria sp ., Scirpus spp., Phragmities sp., Typha sp., Juncus spp., and Zizaniop sis sp.. This system is a component of a solid waste facility of a clo sed-loop design incorporating recycling, composting and constructed we tlands to treat leachate mixed with septage on site. The system is cha racterized by a varying hydraulic loading rate and retention time.