Aarav Mandal
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
Constructed wetlands utilizing indigenous plant species have emerged as a cost-effective, low-energy, and environmentally sustainable approach for treating municipal and industrial wastewater. This manuscript examines treatment performance, ecological interactions, and design considerations of horizontal and vertical flow constructed wetlands planted with locally adapted species prior to 2018. Through analysis of multiple case studies, including Typha latifolia systems in temperate climates and Vetiveria zizanioides beds in tropical regions, we explore pollutant removal mechanisms—physical filtration, microbial degradation, plant uptake—and hydraulic design parameters. Methodology comprises site selection, wetland cell configuration, hydraulic loading rate control, influent and effluent sampling, and analytical protocols for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nutrients, and pathogen indicators. Results demonstrate average removal efficiencies of 65–85 % for BOD, 50–70 % for total nitrogen, and 40–60 % for total phosphorus across systems. Indigenous flora enhanced nutrient uptake and resilience to seasonal variability. The findings support adoption of constructed wetlands with native species for decentralized wastewater management in rural and peri-urban contexts, offering guidance for engineers and practitioners on design optimization and long-term operation.
Keywords
Constructed wetland, indigenous plants, wastewater treatment, removal efficiency, ecological engineering
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