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WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL MARSHES
Citation:
Spangler, F., W. Sloey, C. Fetter, AND Jr. WASTEWATER TREATMENT BY NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL MARSHES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-76/207.
Description:
Investigations were conducted on the use of artificial and natural marshes as purifiers of effluent from municipal treatment plants. Observations were made on marsh influent and effluent quality. Phosphorus distribution in the ecosystem and removal by harvesting were studied. Responses of the vegetation to repeated harvesting were recorded. Artificial marshes consisted of plastic-lined excavations containing emergent vegetation, especially Scirpus validus, growing in gravel. Various combinations of retention time, primary effluent, secondary effluent, basin shape, and depth of planting medium were studied. A polluted natural marsh was studied simultaneously. The degree of improvement in water quality suggests that the process may be acceptable for certain treatment applications.