TITLE:
Performance Characteristics of Pollutants along the Longitudinal Profile of a Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Domestic Sewage Treatment Plant in the University of Lagos, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Adelere Ezekiel Adeniran, Adetinuke Aina, Omolaraeni Oshunrinade
KEYWORDS:
Subsurface Flow; Constructed Wetland; Domestic Sewage; Pollutants Removal
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.6 No.2,
February
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: The paper reports the findings of a research
work carried out to examine the performance and efficiency of a subsurface
constructed wetland (SSFCW) for the treatment of domestic sewage in the
University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria. The removal patterns and efficiencies of
the physical, chemical and biological sewage pollutants parameters of domestic
waste water generated within Unilag community by the SSFCW were studied. The
wastewater was sampled and analysed along the SSFCW from influent (point1) to
effluent (point 11). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reduced from 471 mg/l to
11.85 mg/l (97.48%), Turbidity reduced from 108.75 HTU to 0.05HTU (99.95%),
Manganese reduced from 6.05 mg/l to 0.61 mg/ (89.92%), Nitrate reduced from
27.5 mg/l to 2.0 mg/l (92.73%), Sulphate reduced from 48.5 mg/l to 28 mg/l (42.27%),
Iron reduced from 1.13 mg/l to 0.03 mg/l (97.35%), BOD reduced from 73.14 mg/l
to 12.8 mg/l (82.5%), and E-coli reduced from 874 MPN/100 ml to 0.15 MPN/100 ml (99.98%). On the other hand,
Dissolved Oxygen content increased along the SSFCW from 3.14 mg/l to 7.49 mg/l (138.54%)
while the pH improved from slightly acid level of 6.49 to slightly above
neutral level of 7.05 (9.3%). All the parameters at effluent point are within
the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) acceptable standard.
The study concludes that the SSFCW is a cheap, efficient and appropriate
technology for the treatment of domestic sewage under tropical conditions.