54
Months
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
COD, mg/L
0
100
200
300
400
500
Influent
Effluent
Months
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
COD, mg/L
0
100
200
300
400
500
Influent
Effluent
Zea mays
Sesamum indicus
Figure 1. Average concentrations of influent and effluent of COD and as a function of treatment,
time and plant type
Conclusions
Zea mays
and
Sesamum indicus
growing in tropical in horizontal sub surface flow constructed
wetlands can be sustainable with respect to reducing pollution, improving water quality and
possibly augment diets and income in rural communities.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express appreciation to the Centro de Estudios del Agua of the Universidad
del Atlántico for the economic support. We also want to thank to Eberhard Wedler of the
biological reserve CAOBA for his technical support and advice.
References
APHA-AWWA-WPCF. 2005. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
19th ed. American Public Health Association. Washington, DC.
Kadlec, R.., H., & Wallace S., D. 2009. Treatment wetlands. Second Edition. Taylor and Francis
Group, CRP Press. Boca Ratón, Fl. USA. 1016
