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Removal Of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals By A Constructed Wetland For On-Site Domestic Wastewater Treatment
Citation:
MILLS, M. A., N. Engel, B. Boulanger, AND C. T. NIETCH. Removal Of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals By A Constructed Wetland For On-Site Domestic Wastewater Treatment. Presented at SETAC New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, November 19 - 23, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To characterize both the seasonal loading of these compounds to a constructed wetland receiving domestic wastewater and to characterize the removal capacity of the wetland treatment unit.
Description:
Research has shown that domestic and industrial wastewater can be a source of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to the environment. Much of this research has focused on municipal and industrial centralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These WWTPs have been shown to be a significant source of EDCs, including both natural and synthetic hormones and alkylphenolic compounds to receiving systems. In the US, about 30% of domestic wastewater is treated using decentralized wastewater treatment technologies. These technologies (septic systems, constructed wetlands, etc) have not been adequately characterized for their capacity to manage these emerging contaminants. The focus of this study is to characterize both the seasonal loading of these compounds to a constructed wetland receiving domestic wastewater and to characterize the removal capacity of the wetland treatment unit. The research was conducted over two years at a subsurface construced wetland designed to treat domestic wastewater. The loading to the system is primarily from a retreat center in southwestern Ohio that receives a low flow (8-12 people) of domestic wastewater the majority of the time with periodic high flows (greater than 50-100 people). The influent and effluent flows were characterized for steroid hormones, alkylpyhenol ethoxylates, nutrients, TOC, and pathogens over a two year period to evaluate season loadings and treatment capacity of the wetland. Results have shown, to date, that the EDCs are treated to varying degrees dependent on loading and seasonal condition of the wetland. Evaluations of loading rates, removal rates, and season relationships will be presented.
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Conference Information
Removal of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals By A Constructed Wetland For On-Site Domestic Wastewater Treatment (PDF, NA pp, 98 KB, about PDF)