Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
A Review of Research Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37773/ees.v8i1.1281Keywords:
VOSviewer, Constructed wetlands, Wetlands, Wastewater, Wastewater treatmentAbstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) mimic natural wetland processes and are designed primarily for wastewater treatment. Their cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency have made them popular globally. In the present study, the online Scopus database was used to identify 4407 documents related to CWs from 1991 to 2020 and bibliometric analysis was conducted. Among these, 209 publications were highly cited (>100 times), constituting 5.1% of all publications. VOSviewer software was used to conduct citation network analyses, which revealed a steady increase in annual publications on the topic over time. The United States, China, and the Czech Republic produced the highest number of highly cited publications. Notably, the journal Ecological Engineering received the most citations, followed by Water Research and Water Science and Technology. The literature analysis explored CW design, the role of macrophytes and microorganisms, organic pollutant and nutrient removal processes, and operation and maintenance. Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis are commonly used plant species in CWs. Despite their efficacy and cost-efficiency, challenges such as difficulties in procuring land, conducting regular maintenance, and raising public awareness persist. Further research and innovation are crucial for maximizing CW applications in wastewater treatment in the modern era.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Akratos, Christos S, and Vassilios A Tsihrintzis. 2007. “Effect of Temperature, HRT, Vegetation and Porous Media on Removal Efficiency of Pilot-Scale Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands.” Ecological Engineering 29(2): 173-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.06.013
Albers, Peter H, and Michael B Camardese. 1993. “Effects of Acidification on Metal Accumulation by Aquatic Plants and Invertebrates. 1. Constructed Wetlands.” Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: An International Journal 12(6): 959-967. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620120603
Ansola, Gemma, Juan Manuel González, Rubén Cortijo, and Estanislao de Luis. 2003. “Experimental and Full-Scale Pilot Plant Constructed Wetlands for Municipal Wastewaters Treatment.” Ecological Engineering 21(1): 43-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2003.08.002
Ansola, Gemma, Paula Arroyo, and Luis E Sáenz de Miera. 2014. “Characterisation of the Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Composition of Natural and Constructed Wetlands.” Science of the Total Environment 473: 63-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.125
Arora, Anju, Sudhir Saxena, and Raghubir Shah. 2009. “Aquatic Microphyte Azolla for Nutrient Removal from Wastewaters in Constructed Wetlands.” Proceedings of the International Conference on Energy and Environment: 185-189.
Bakhshoodeh, Reza, Nadali Alavi, Carolyn Oldham, Rafael M Santos, Ali Akbar Babaei, Jan Vymazal, and Pooya Paydary. 2020. “Constructed Wetlands for Landfill Leachate Treatment: A Review.” Ecological Engineering 146: 105725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2020.105725
Bayati, Mohamed, Thi L Ho, Danh C Vu, Fengzhen Wang, Elizabeth Rogers, Craig Cuvellier, Steve Huebotter, et al. 2021. “Assessing the Efficiency of Constructed Wetlands in Removing PPCPs from Treated Wastewater and Mitigating the Ecotoxicological Impacts.” International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 231: 113664. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113664
Brix, Hans. 1994. “Use of Constructed Wetlands in Water Pollution Control: Historical Development, Present Status, and Future Perspectives.” Water Science and Technology 30(8): 209-223. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.1994.0413
Chang, Jie, Ying Ge, Zhaoping Wu, Yuanyuan Du, Kaixuan Pan, Guofu Yang, Yuan Ren, et al. 2021. “Modern Cities Modelled as ‘Super‐cells’ Rather than Multicellular Organisms: Implications for Industry, Goods and Services.” BioEssays 43(7): 2100041. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.202100041
Choi, Yeong-Joo, Lee-Hyung Kim, and Kyung-Duk Zoh. 2016. “Removal Characteristics and Mechanism of Antibiotics Using Constructed Wetlands.” Ecological Engineering 91: 85-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.01.058
Colares, Gustavo S, Naira Dell'Osbel, Patrik G Wiesel, Gislayne A Oliveira, Pedro Henrique Z Lemos, Fagner P da Silva, Carlos A Lutterbeck, Lourdes T Kist, and Ênio L Machado. 2020. “Floating Treatment Wetlands: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis.” Science of the Total Environment 714: 136776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136776
Cronk, Julie K 1996. “Constructed Wetlands to Treat Wastewater from Dairy and Swine Operations: A Review.” Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 58(2-3): 97-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(96)01024-9
Denny, Patrick. 1997. “Implementation of Constructed Wetlands in Developing Countries.” Water Science and Technology 35(5): 27-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00049-8
Dordio, Ana V, and Alfredo Jorge Palace Carvalho. 2013. “Organic Xenobiotics Removal in Constructed Wetlands, with Emphasis on the Importance of the Support Matrix.” Journal of Hazardous Materials 252: 272-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.03.008
Duncan, Colin P, and Peter M Groffman. 1994. “Comparing Microbial Parameters in Natural and Constructed Wetlands.” American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America 23(2): 298-305. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1994.00472425002300020012x
El-Mekkawi, Samar A, Hala S Doma, Gamila H Ali, and Sayeda M Abdo. 2021. “Case Study: Effective Use of Microphytes in Wastewater Treatment, Profit Evaluation, and Scale-Up Life Cycle Assessment.” Journal of Water Process Engineering 41: 102069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102069
Farooqi, I H, Farrukh Basheer, and Rahat Jahan Chaudhari. 2008. “Constructed Wetland System (CWS) for Wastewater Treatment.” Proceedings of Taal2007: The 12th World Lake Conference 1004: 1009.
Gagnon, Vincent, Florent Chazarenc, Yves Comeau, and Jacques Brisson. 2007. “Influence of Macrophyte Species on Microbial Density and Activity in Constructed Wetlands.” Water Science and Technology 56(3): 249-254. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2007.510
Green, Michal, Eran Friedler, Yuri Ruskol, and Iris Safrai. 1997. “Investigation of Alternative Method for Nitrification in Constructed Wetlands.” Water Science and Technology 35(5): 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00053-X
Greenway, Margaret. 2004. “Constructed Wetlands for Water Pollution Control‐Processes, Parameters and Performance.” Developments in Chemical Engineering and Mineral Processing 12(5‐6): 491-504. https://doi.org/10.1002/apj.5500120505
Guo, Xiongfei, Xingyi Cui, Huashou Li, and Binghong Xiong. 2021. “Purifying Effect of Biochar-Zeolite Constructed Wetlands on Arsenic-Containing Biogas Slurry in Large-Scale Pig Farms.” Journal of Cleaner Production 279: 123579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123579
Haberl, Raimund, Stefano Grego, Günter Langergraber, Robert H Kadlec, Anna-Rita Cicalini, Susete Martins Dias, Julio M Novais, et al. 2003. “Constructed Wetlands for the Treatment of Organic Pollutants.” Journal of Soils and Sediments 3: 109-124. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02991077
Hoppe, Hans-Georg, Sang-Jin Kim, and Klaus Gocke. 1988. “Microbial Decomposition in Aquatic Environments: Combined Process of Extracellular Enzyme Activity and Substrate Uptake.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology 54(3): 784-790. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.54.3.784-790.1988
Ji, Bin, Yaqian Zhao, Jan Vymazal, Ülo Mander, Rauno Lust, and Cheng Tang. 2021. “Mapping the Field of Constructed Wetland-Microbial Fuel Cell: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis.” Chemosphere 262: 128366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128366
Kang, Hojeong, Chris Freeman, Dowon Lee, and William J Mitsch. 1998. “Enzyme Activities in Constructed Wetlands: Implication for Water Quality Amelioration.” Hydrobiologia 368: 231-235. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003219123729
Li, Yi Cheng, Dong Qing Zhang, and Mo Wang. 2017. “Performance Evaluation of a Full‐Scale Constructed Wetland for Treating Stormwater Runoff.” CLEAN-Soil, Air, Water 45(11): 1600740. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201600740
Lin, Ying-Feng, Shuh-Ren Jing, Der-Yuan Lee, and Tze-Wen Wang. 2002. “Nutrient Removal from Aquaculture Wastewater Using a Constructed Wetlands System.” Aquaculture 209(1-4): 169-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(01)00801-8
Lu, Shibao, Xiaoling Zhang, Jianhua Wang, and Liang Pei. 2016. “Impacts of Different Media on Constructed Wetlands for Rural Household Sewage Treatment.” Journal of Cleaner Production 127: 325-330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.166
Machado, AI, M Beretta, R Fragoso, and EDCNFDA Duarte. 2017. “Overview of the State of the Art of Constructed Wetlands for Decentralized Wastewater Management in Brazil.” Journal of Environmental Management 187: 560-570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.015
Maltais-Laundry, Gabriel, Roxane Maranger, Jacques Brisson, and Florent Chazarenc. 2009. “Nitrogen Transformations and Retention in Planted and Artificially Aerated Constructed Wetlands.” Water Research 43(2): 535-545. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.20256
Mthembu, Mathews Simon, Christine Odinga, Swalaha Feroz Mahomed, and Bux Faizal. 2013. “Constructed Wetlands: A Future Alternative Wastewater Treatment Technology.” African Journal of Biotechnology 12(29). https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB2013.12978
Niknejad, Naghmeh, Behzad Nazari, Saman Foroutani, and Ab Razak bin Che Hussin. 2023. “A Bibliometric Analysis of Green Technologies Applied to Water and Wastewater Treatment.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research 30(28): 71849-71863. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-18705-1
Nivala, Jaime, Tom Headley, Scott Wallace, Katy Bernhard, Hans Brix, Manfred van Afferden, and Roland Arno Müller. 2013. “Comparative Analysis of Constructed Wetlands: The Design and Construction of the Ecotechnology Research Facility in Langenreichenbach, Germany.” Ecological Engineering 61: 527-543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.01.035
NJ van Eck and L Waltman. 2022. VOSviewer. V.1.6.18. https://www.vosviewer.com/
Ottova, Vlasta, Jarmila Balcarová, and Jan Vymazal. 1997. “Microbial Characteristics of Constructed Wetlands.” Water Science and Technology 35(5): 117-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00060-7
Ouellet-Plamondon, Claudiane, Florent Chazarenc, Yves Comeau, and Jacques Brisson. 2006. “Artificial Aeration to Increase Pollutant Removal Efficiency of Constructed Wetlands in Cold Climate.” Ecological Engineering 27(3): 258-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.03.006
Persson, Jesper, NLG Somes, and THF Wong. 1999. “Hydraulics Efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Ponds.” Water Science and Technology 40(3): 291-300. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00448-5
Polprasert, Chongrak. 2004. “Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: Principles and Practices.” Wetlands Ecosystems in Asia, Elsevier 1: 285-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-044451691-6/50019-3
Prasad, Rajnikant, Dayanand Sharma, Kunwar D Yadav, and Hussameldin Ibrahim. 2021. “Preliminary Study on Greywater Treatment Using Water Hyacinth.” Applied Water Science 11(6): 88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01422-4
Prochaska, Charikleia A, and Anastasios I Zouboulis. 2006. “Removal of Phosphates by Pilot Vertical-Flow Constructed Wetlands Using a Mixture of Sand and Dolomite as Substrate.” Ecological Engineering 26(3): 293-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2005.10.009
QGIS Geographic Information System. 2022. QGIS. V.3.26. Open Source Geospatial Foundation Project. http://qgis.org
Reddy, K Raja, and Elisa M D'angelo. 1997. “Biogeochemical Indicators to Evaluate Pollutant Removal Efficiency in Constructed Wetlands.” Water Science and Technology 35(5): 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00046-2
Roy, Malabika Biswas, Arnab Ghosh, Abhishek Kumar, and Pankaj Kumar Roy. 2021. “Assessing the Nature of Seasonal Meteorological Change in People's Dependency on Wetland: A Case Study of Bhagirathi-Hooghly Floodplain System.” Environment, Development and Sustainability 23(12): 17881-17903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01419-8
Russell, Richard C. 1999. “Constructed Wetlands and Mosquitoes: Health Hazards and Management Options-an Australian Perspective.” Ecological Engineering 12(1-2): 107-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-8574(98)00057-3
Saha, Shilpa, Ratan Mandal, Pankaj Kumar Roy, and Malabika Biswas Roy. 2024. “Unlocking the Potential of Constructed Wetlands for Sustainable Development: Some Case Studies Focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Advances in Energy and Sustainability (Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering): 459-478. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-7308-4_33
Shrestha, Roshan Raj, Raimund Haberl, Johannes Laber, Rajesh Manandhar, and Josef Mader. 2001. “Application of Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment in Nepal.” Water Science and Technology 44(11-12): 381-386. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2001.0855
Skrzypiecbcef, Katarzyna, and Magdalena H Gajewskaad. 2017. “The Use of Constructed Wetlands for the Treatment of Industrial Wastewater.” Journal of Water and Land Development 34(1): 233. https://doi.org/10.1515/jwld-2017-0058
Stottmeister, Ullrich, Arndt Wießner, Peter Kuschk, Uwe Kappelmeyer, Matthias Kästner, O Bederski, Roland Arno Müller, and H Moormann. 2003. “Effects of Plants and Microorganisms in Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment.” Biotechnology Advances 22(1-2): 93-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2003.08.010
Tennessen, Kenneth J. 2020. “Production and Suppression of Mosquitoes in Constructed Wetlands.” In Constructed Wetlands for Water Quality Improvement, 591-601. United States: CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003069997-76
Truu, Marika, Jaanis Juhanson, and Jaak Truu. 2009. “Microbial Biomass, Activity and Community Composition in Constructed Wetlands.” Science of the Total Environment 407(13): 3958-3971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.036
Vandevenne, Louis. 1995. “An Operational Survey of a Natural Lagoon Treatment Plant Combining Macrophytes and Microphytes Basins.” Water Science and Technology 32(3): 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-1223(95)00607-9
Vymazal, Jan. 2007. “Removal of Nutrients in Various Types of Constructed Wetlands.” Science of the Total Environment 380(1-3): 48-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.09.014
___. 2010. “Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment.” Water 2(3): 530-549. https://doi.org/10.3390/w2030530
___. 2011. “Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment: Five Decades of Experience.” Environmental Science & Technology 45(1): 61-69. https://doi.org/10.1021/es101403q
___. 2014. “Constructed Wetlands for Treatment of Industrial Wastewaters: A Review.” Ecological Engineering 73: 724-751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.09.034
Walton, William E, Dagne Duguma, Min Tao, David A Popko, and Scott Nygren. 2016. “Integrated Mosquito Management in Experimental Constructed Wetlands: Efficacy of Small-Stature Macrophytes and Fluctuating Hydroperiod.” Water 8(10): 421. https://doi.org/10.3390/w8100421
Wang, Jie, Ling Xia, Jieyu Chen, Xiaoning Wang, Hu Wu, Dapeng Li, George F Wells, Jun Yang, Jie Hou, and Xugang He. 2021. vSynergistic Simultaneous Nitrification-Endogenous Denitrification and EBPR for Advanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal in Constructed Wetlands.” Chemical Engineering Journal 420: 127605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.127605
Wang, Jinqi, Weimu Wang, Jibing Xiong, Liguang Li, Biying Zhao, Irfan Sohail, and Zhenli He. 2021. “A Constructed Wetland System with Aquatic Macrophytes for Cleaning Contaminated Runoff/Storm Water from Urban Area in Florida.” Journal of Environmental Management 280: 111794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111794
Wang, Qian, Jiewei Ding, Huijun Xie, Derek Hao, Yuanda Du, Congcong Zhao, Fei Xu, Qiang Kong, and Baoshan Wang. 2021. “Phosphorus Removal Performance of Microbial-Enhanced Constructed Wetlands That Treat Saline Wastewater.” Journal of Cleaner Production 288: 125119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125119
Wu, Hu, Jie Wang, Jieyu Chen, Xiaoning Wang, Dapeng Li, Jie Hou, and Xugang He. 2021. “Advanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal by Combining Endogenous Denitrification and Denitrifying Dephosphatation in Constructed Wetlands.” Journal of Environmental Management 294: 112967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112967
Yan, Yijing, and Jingcheng Xu. 2014. “Improving Winter Performance of Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment in Northern China: A Review.” Wetlands 34: 243-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-013-0444-7
Yu, Guanlong, Peiyuan Li, Guoliang Wang, Jianwu Wang, Yameng Zhang, Shitao Wang, Kai Yang, Chunyan Du, and Hong Chen. 2021. “A Review on the Removal of Heavy Metals and Metalloids by Constructed Wetlands: Bibliometric, Removal Pathways, and Key Factors.” World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 37(9): 157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-021-03123-1
Zhang, Dongqing, Richard M Gersberg, and Tan Soon Keat. 2009. “Constructed Wetlands in China.” Ecological Engineering 35(10): 1367-1378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.07.007
Zhang, Manping, Jung-Chen Huang, Shanshan Sun, Muhammad Muneeb Ur Rehman, Shengbing He, and Weili Zhou. 2021. “Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction Processes and Corresponding Nitrogen Loss in Tidal Flow Constructed Wetlands.” Journal of Cleaner Production 295: 126429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126429
Zhang, Yan, Mengqi Li, Lu Dong, Chunxiao Han, Ming Li, and Haiming Wu. 2021. “Effects of Biochar Dosage on Treatment Performance, Enzyme Activity and Microbial Community in Aerated Constructed Wetlands for Treating Low C/N Domestic Sewage.” Environmental Technology & Innovation 24: 101919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101919
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Malabika Biswas Roy, Shilpa Saha, Pankaj Kumar Roy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright
The author(s) retain copyright on work published by INSEE unless specified otherwise.
Licensing and publishing rights
Author(s) of work published by INSEE are required to transfer non-exclusive publishing right to INSEE of the definitive work in any format, language and medium, for any lawful purpose.
Authors who publish in Ecology, Economy and Society will release their articles under the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. This license allows anyone to copy and distribute the article for non-commercial purposes provided that appropriate attribution is given.
For details of the rights that the authors grant users of their work, see the "human-readable summary" of the license, with a link to the full license. (Note that "you" refers to a user, not an author, in the summary.)
The authors retain the non-exclusive right to do anything they wish with the published article(s), provided attribution is given to the Ecology, Economy and Society—the INSEE Journal with details of the original publication, as set out in the official citation of the article published in the journal. The retained right specifically includes the right to post the article on the authors’ or their institution’s websites or in institutional repositories.
In case of re-publishing a previously published work, author may note that earlier publication may have taken place a license different from Creative Commons. In all such cases of re-publishing, we advise the authors to consult the applicable licence at article level.
