Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland

The role of seasons in the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and in changes in the spectral properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a large-scale surface flow constructed wetland (SF-CW) receiving reclaimed water and composed of three basins with different vegetation patte...

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Main Authors: Nicolas Maurice, Cécile Pochet, Nouceiba Adouani, Marie-Noëlle Pons
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-05-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/9/1474
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author Nicolas Maurice
Cécile Pochet
Nouceiba Adouani
Marie-Noëlle Pons
author_facet Nicolas Maurice
Cécile Pochet
Nouceiba Adouani
Marie-Noëlle Pons
author_sort Nicolas Maurice
collection DOAJ
description The role of seasons in the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and in changes in the spectral properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a large-scale surface flow constructed wetland (SF-CW) receiving reclaimed water and composed of three basins with different vegetation patterns was studied. Dissolved nitrogen removal efficiencies within the three basins in summer (>50%) and winter (<30%) were significantly different. SF-CW water is enriched in DOC in spring and summer with average outlet concentrations above 8 mg·L<sup>−1</sup>. UV-visible indices, such as the specific absorbance at 254 nm or the spectral slope between 275 and 295 nm, did not vary over the seasons; thus, the basins did not change DOM aromaticity and average molecular weight. Synchronous fluorescence spectra showed variations in terms of protein-like and humic-like substances, the latter being more sensitive to photodegradation. A lab-scale photodegradation experiment confirmed that radiation from the sun was responsible for this decrease, showing this process could alter the composition of DOM at full-scale. DOM variations result from a seasonal competition between release by vegetation and photodegradation. These results validate the necessity for long-term monitoring of SF-CWs, and the utility of rapid optical methods to monitor DOC.
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spelling doaj.art-59ff56309d5b4f8399017ed59c92e5482023-11-23T09:36:18ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-05-01149147410.3390/w14091474Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed WetlandNicolas Maurice0Cécile Pochet1Nouceiba Adouani2Marie-Noëlle Pons3Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 1 Rue Grandville, CEDEX F-54001, BP 20451 Nancy, FranceGrand Reims, CEDEX F-51000, CS 80036 Reims, FranceLaboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 1 Rue Grandville, CEDEX F-54001, BP 20451 Nancy, FranceLaboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, 1 Rue Grandville, CEDEX F-54001, BP 20451 Nancy, FranceThe role of seasons in the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and in changes in the spectral properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a large-scale surface flow constructed wetland (SF-CW) receiving reclaimed water and composed of three basins with different vegetation patterns was studied. Dissolved nitrogen removal efficiencies within the three basins in summer (>50%) and winter (<30%) were significantly different. SF-CW water is enriched in DOC in spring and summer with average outlet concentrations above 8 mg·L<sup>−1</sup>. UV-visible indices, such as the specific absorbance at 254 nm or the spectral slope between 275 and 295 nm, did not vary over the seasons; thus, the basins did not change DOM aromaticity and average molecular weight. Synchronous fluorescence spectra showed variations in terms of protein-like and humic-like substances, the latter being more sensitive to photodegradation. A lab-scale photodegradation experiment confirmed that radiation from the sun was responsible for this decrease, showing this process could alter the composition of DOM at full-scale. DOM variations result from a seasonal competition between release by vegetation and photodegradation. These results validate the necessity for long-term monitoring of SF-CWs, and the utility of rapid optical methods to monitor DOC.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/9/1474dissolved organic mattersynchronous fluorescence spectrumnitrogensurface flow constructed wetlandUV-visible spectrum
spellingShingle Nicolas Maurice
Cécile Pochet
Nouceiba Adouani
Marie-Noëlle Pons
Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland
Water
dissolved organic matter
synchronous fluorescence spectrum
nitrogen
surface flow constructed wetland
UV-visible spectrum
title Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland
title_full Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland
title_fullStr Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland
title_full_unstemmed Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland
title_short Role of Seasons in the Fate of Dissolved Organic Carbon and Nutrients in a Large-Scale Surface Flow Constructed Wetland
title_sort role of seasons in the fate of dissolved organic carbon and nutrients in a large scale surface flow constructed wetland
topic dissolved organic matter
synchronous fluorescence spectrum
nitrogen
surface flow constructed wetland
UV-visible spectrum
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/9/1474
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