Influence of hydraulic retention time and plant species on performance of mesocosm subsurface constructed wetlands during municipal wastewater treatment in super-arid areas

ABSTRACTA constructed wetland (CW) in arid areas requires special knowledge given the particular climatic conditions. Among other aspects, the Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) and plant species may be two important design parameters in hyper- and super-arid areas. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the influence of both variables in the application of CW in super-arid areas. Two HRT, 3.5 d and 7 d, and plant species classified by their origin: (a) native, Festuca Orthopylla, Cortaderia atacamensis and Schoenoplectus americanus, and (b) foreign, Cyperus papyrus, were evaluated in four Mesocosm Constructed Wetlands (MCW) operated in a super-arid area. The results showed that the HRT significantly increased (α < 0.05) in more than 10% the removal efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus forms (TN, NH4+-N, TP, PO4−3-P). These results were the same for the two groups of plants assessed. Moreover, Cyperus papyrus significantly increased (α < 0.05) above 30% the removal efficiency, but only for nitrogen and phosp...