Evaluation of a wastewater treatment wetland in San Marcos Atexquilapan, Naolinco, Veracruz, Mexico, planted with polyculture of ornamental plants

Abstract

The use of wetlands as wastewater treatment systems is a promising alternative in rural areas, as it is economical and easy to operate. Due to their practicality, their implementation requires analyzing their performance in terms of contaminant removal. This helps inform design considerations and supports their replicability, given their potential to reduce water pollution and improve quality of life.

Therefore, this study evaluated the removal of contaminants in wastewater using a constructed wetland planted with ornamental plants in the town of San Marcos Atexquilapan, Naolinco, Veracruz, by collecting six parameters: temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic carbon (TOC). This study lasted 180 days (6 months). The study area was found to have an average temperature of 20.73°C. The treated water had COD removal rates of up to 47%, TDS 50%, TOC 60%, EC 72%, and a pH of 6. Although these data are important, it is necessary to improve the design conditions to intensify the removal rates. Furthermore, the results were compared with those of other authors, and it was found that the low percentages observed may be due to climatic conditions, the system being new, or other external factors such as excess organic load.