Application of Subsurface flow constructed wetland for Treatment of Pharmaceutical wastewater

Pharmaceutics has been considered as one the most important industries in Iran and the resulted wastewater are considered as one of important environmental contaminants, therefore determining the suitable method for treatment of this kind of wastewater is essential. In this experimental research, performance of a subsurface flow constructed wetland pilot for treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater from pharmaceutical factory was evaluated. Sand and gravel were used as substrate media for the constructed wetland and it planted with Cyperus haspan. The experiment was done in two different hydraulic retention time and during these experiments, samples were tested for pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5). Obtaining results of tests showed that constructed wetland system in environment temperature is able to eliminate more than 90 percent of BOD5 and about 77 percent of existing COD that exist in antibiotic-making plant. The constructed wetland has made acidic pH of its wastewater into neutral values. Obtained results of wetland showed that with increase in HRT from 6 to 9 days, BOD5 removal efficiency increased from 72% to 92.5% and COD Removal efficiency increased from 53% to 77% respectively. The results showed that Cyperus Haspan is suitable plant for treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater by subsurface constructed wetlands.

Sub-Surface Flow (SSF), Constructed Wetland, Pharmaceutical, Wastewater, Cyperus Haspan