A revisit of constructed wetlands technology¿microbial structure and diversity and their relation to pollutant removal Book in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • Constructed wetlands (CWs) mimic nature¿s action, employing a harmonious blend of physical, chemical, and biological processes to treat wastewater under controlled conditions. Microbial processes such as nitrification, denitrification, anammox, and organic matter degradation take center stage, playing a pivotal role in pollutant removal. This review delves into the environmental, operational, and design factors that choreograph the structure, diversity, and activity of these microscopic actions. Temperature, pH, depth, substrate composition, organic carbon availability, and plant presence are some of the features shaping the CW microenvironments, dictating the dominance of specific microbial communities and their preferred metabolic pathways. For different pollutants¿nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter¿we dissect how these factors influence removal pathways and overall CW performance. Molecular techniques reveal the key microbial players in each scenario, providing crucial insights into their choreography. The quest continues to identify critical attributes we can manipulate to orchestrate desired changes in microbial dominance, ultimately amplifying their activity and boosting CW performance. Precise experiments involving different environmental variables, coupled with detailed assessments of microbial behavior and CW efficiency, hold the key to unlocking this potential. By fine-tuning the microbial interactions within CWs, we can refine these natural treatment systems into even more effective clean water generators. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved including those for text and data mining AI training and similar technologies.

publication date

  • January 1, 2024