Multi-Criteria Evaluation and Sensitivity Analysis for the Optimal Location of Constructed Wetlands (METland) at Oceanic and Mediterranean Areas

Lorena Peñacoba-Antona, Montserrat Gómez-Delgado and Abraham Esteve-Núñez
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Lorena Peñacoba-Antona: IMDEA Water Institute, Av. Punto Com, 2, Parque Científico Tecnológico, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Montserrat Gómez-Delgado: Department of Geology, Geography and Environment Science, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Abraham Esteve-Núñez: IMDEA Water Institute, Av. Punto Com, 2, Parque Científico Tecnológico, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: METland is a new variety of Constructed Wetland (CW) for treating wastewater where gravel is replaced by a biocompatible electroconductive material to stimulate the metabolism of electroactive bacteria. The system requires a remarkably low land footprint (0.4 m 2 /pe) compared to conventional CW, due to the high pollutant removal rate exhibited by such microorganisms. In order to predict the optimal locations for METland, a methodology based on Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) techniques applied to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has been proposed. Seven criteria were evaluated and weighted in the context of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Finally, a Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) was performed using the Sobol method for resource optimization. The model was tested in two locations, oceanic and Mediterranean, to prove its feasibility in different geographical, demographic and climate conditions. The GSA revealed as conclusion the most influential factors in the model: (i) land use, (ii) distance to population centers, and (iii) distance to river beds. Interestingly, the model could predict best suitable locations by reducing the number of analyzed factors to just such three key factors (responsible for 78% of the output variance). The proposed methodology will help decision-making stakeholders in implementing nature-based solutions, including constructed wetlands, for treating wastewater in rural areas.

Keywords: wastewater treatment; nature-based solution; constructed wetland; METland; Geographical Information System; Multi-Criteria Evaluation; Global Sensitivity Analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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