Use of a wetland system for treating Pb/Zn mine effluent: A case study in Southern China from 1984 to 2002

Water quality problems can be caused by water storage and by pollution because of effluent discharge to the drainage system. The deliberate use of wetlands (both natural and constructed) as biological treatment systems for effluent purification has developed rapidly over the last 30 years with the increasing scientific documentation of the role of plants in wastewater purification. The growing interest in wetland systems is in part because of the recognition that natural treatment systems offer advantages over conventional concrete-and-steel, equipment-intensive, mechanical treatment plants. When the same biochemical and physical processes occur in a more natural environment instead of reactor tanks and basins, the wetland system often consumes less energy, is more reliable, requires less operation and maintenance, and, as a result, costs less. Most research on the use of wetlands for wastewater treatment is directed toward using municipal wastewaters to reduce the concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, and lower the biological oxygen demand. Copyright © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.