Publication Details

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Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/s11356-014-3575-3
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Title (Primary) Microbial nitrogen transformation in constructed wetlands treating contaminated groundwater
Author Coban, O.; Kuschk, P.; Wells, N.S.; Strauch, G.; Knoeller, K.
Source Titel Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Year 2015
Department UBT; CATHYD
Volume 22
Issue 17
Page From 12829
Page To 12839
Language englisch
Keywords Nitrogen; Ammonium; Constructed wetland; Nitrification; Denitrification; Isotope fractionation
UFZ wide themes RU2;
UFZ inventory Treatment of pollution in constructed wetlands: from the fundamental mechanisms to the full scale applications. WETPOL 2013
Abstract Pathways of ammonium (NH4 +) removal were investigated using the stable isotope approach in constructed wetlands (CWs). We investigated and compared several types of CWs: planted horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF), unplanted HSSF, and floating plant root mat (FPRM), including spatial and seasonal variations. Plant presence was the key factor influencing efficiency of NH4 + removal in all CWs, what was illustrated by lower NH4 +-N removal by the unplanted HSSF CW in comparison with planted CWs. No statistically significant differences in NH4 + removal efficiencies between seasons were detected. Even though plant uptake accounted for 32–100 % of NH4 + removal during spring and summer in planted CWs, throughout the year, most of NH4 + was removed via simultaneous nitrification-denitrification, what was clearly shown by linear increase of δ15N-NH4 + with decrease of loads along the flow path and absence of nitrate (NO3 ) accumulation. Average yearly enrichment factor for nitrification was −7.9 ‰ for planted HSSF CW and −5.8 ‰ for FPRM. Lack of enrichment for δ15N-NO3 implied that other processes, such as nitrification and mineralization were superimposed on denitrification and makes the stable isotope approach unsuitable for the estimation of denitrification in the systems obtaining NH4 + rich inflow water.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=15565
Coban, O., Kuschk, P., Wells, N.S., Strauch, G., Knoeller, K. (2015):
Microbial nitrogen transformation in constructed wetlands treating contaminated groundwater
Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 22 (17), 12829 - 12839 10.1007/s11356-014-3575-3