Performance Evaluation of Various Filter Media for Multi-Functional Purposes to Urban Constructed Wetlands

Chiny Vispo, Franz Kevin Geronimo, Minsu Jeon and Lee-Hyung Kim ()
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Chiny Vispo: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Republic of Korea
Franz Kevin Geronimo: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Republic of Korea
Minsu Jeon: Department of Hydro Science and Engineering Research, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyang 10223, Republic of Korea
Lee-Hyung Kim: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kongju National University, Cheonan 31080, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: The escalating demand for innovative solutions is driven by the challenges posed by water quality degradation and the pervasive impacts of climate change. As such, this study evaluated the performance of filter media to mitigate these challenges through multi-functional applications in urban constructed wetlands (UCWs). Column testing of organic filter media, including biochar (BC), woodchip (WC), anthracite (AT), and activated carbon (AC), as well as inorganic filter media, such as ceramic balls (CB), basalt (BS), and porous sand (PS), with synthetic stormwater runoff influent was conducted to assess their performance through water quality parameters and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis for carbon storage potential. Among the media tested, AC exhibited high pollutant removal efficiencies amounting to 84%, 54%, 56%, and 44% for total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP), respectively. For inorganic media, PS had the highest TSS and TN removal, whereas BS exhibited the highest COD and TP removal. Overall performance rating revealed that AC and BS, despite their efficient pollutant removal, are associated with higher costs, resulting in a lower ranking compared to AT and PS. SEM-EDX analysis identified PS and AC as standout media for potential carbon storage, attributed to their extensive surface areas and pore structures providing abundant adsorption sites. The results from this study highlighted the potential applications of various filter media in UCW designs with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality and sustainable urban development.

Keywords: carbon storage; filter media; stormwater management; urban constructed wetlands (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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