A systematic approach to determine herbicide removals in constructed wetlands using time integrated passive samplers

Abstract

Natural water treatment systems such as wetlands are increasingly being recognised for their role as part of a multi-barrier system for water recycling. Natural wetland systems have the ability to provide effective treatment for a wide range of organic chemicals. However, techniques are required to validate the performance of these treatment processes in the field. This paper provides a new method for evaluating wetland systems using passive samplers and applies a statistical method for use in advanced water treatment processes. Three years of stormwater quality passive sampler data for diuron, simazine and atrazine is provided to determine herbicide removal between the inlet and outlet regions of a constructed wetland. Mean removal rates over the three year period for diuron, simazine and atrazine were 43, 54 and 50% respectively. The results show that this method coupled with passive samplers is amenable to wetland system barrier characterisation where opportunities for process validation is not feasible. © IWA Publishing 2011.