Study on the Effect of AO-Coupled Constructed Wetlands on Conventional and Trace Organic Pollutant Treatment

[Image: see text] In this study, a pilot-scale integrated process was developed, which combined the integrated biological contact oxidation technology (AO) and the improved constructed wetland technology. The results showed significant removal efficiency for both conventional and trace organic pollutants. The average removal efficiencies for COD, NH(4)(+)-N, and TP were 78.52, 85.95, and 49.47%, respectively. For trace organic pollutants, triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine, the removal efficiencies reached 60.14, 57.42, and 84.29%, respectively. The AO stage played a crucial role in removing trace organic pollutants, achieving removal efficiencies of 37.28, 43.44, and 83.82% for triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine, respectively. Subsequent treatment using improved constructed wetland technology with coal slag + gravel fillers demonstrated the highest removal efficiency, with average efficiencies of 68.66, 63.38, and 81.32% for triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between temperature, precipitation, and the removal efficiency of COD, NH(4)(+)-N, and TP, while negative correlations were observed with the removal efficiency of triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine. Furthermore, the influent concentrations of triclocarban and triclosan were significantly negatively correlated with the removal efficiency of COD and TP. The presence of triclocarban and triclosan potentially reduced the microbial diversity and hindered sludge sedimentation performance.