Abstract:
The constructed wetlands (CWs) are natural engineered systems well suited for wastewater treatment
from small agglomerations and individual houses. These systems are characterized by low energy and
low chemical consumption, and the water treatment is due to biological, chemical and physical processes
occurring in granular media, biofilms and plants. This study aimed at assessing the suitability of Azorean
native plants, Bolboschoenus maritimus L. Palla and Juncus acutus L., and local pebbles for CWs used
as complementary treatment for septic tank effluents or for polishing secondary effluents aiming at water
reuse in the Azores Islands. Bolboschoenus maritimus L. Palla showed a good performance, identical and
sometimes better than the conventional species, with 2.5 to 6.5-log reduction of faecal coliforms.
Organic matter (expressed as dissolved organic carbon and absorbance at 254nm) and phosphorus
concentrations in the CW effluent were lower than in the corresponding influent water. This exploratory
assay suggests that Bolboschoenus maritimus L. Palla and the seashore pebbles can be successfully used
in CWs in Azores."