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Removal of Selected Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals During On-Site Wastewater Treatment Using A Constructed Wetland
Citation:
MILLS, M., N. Engel, B. Boulanger, AND C. T. NIETCH. Removal of Selected Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals During On-Site Wastewater Treatment Using A Constructed Wetland. Presented at ORBCRE 2010 Scientific Symposium, Highland Heights, KY, October 17 - 19, 2010.
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:
Significant 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. These plants have been shown to be a significant source of both natural and synthetic hormones and alkylphenolic compounds to receiving systems. However, in the US, about 25-30% of wastewater is treated using decentralized wastewater treatment technologies. These technologies (such as septic systems and constructed wetlands) 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 constructed 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 waste the majority of the time with periodic high flows (greater than 50-100 people). The influent and effluent flows were characterized for hormones (7 natural and 1 synthetic), alkylphenol ethoylates (including the octyphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol ethoxylates and their respective metabolites), nutrient (species of N and P), 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.