Author/Editor		Bulc, Tjaša; Vrhovšek, Danijel; Zupančič, Maja
Title		The use of constructed wetland for wastewater treatment in the Mediterranean area
Type		članek
Source		Public enterp
Vol. and No.		Letnik 16, št. 3-4
Publication year		1999
Volume		str. 311-8
Language		eng
Abstract		Constructed wetland (CW) as a wastewater treatment technology is a innovative new approach for eliminating environmental pollution from land-based activities. Particularly during the touris seans, in the tourist centres, national parks and protected areas (such as the coastal and karst region), the sea, streams an sources of drinking water are serously affected by faecal waters. These can cause destruction of the ecosystems and present a high risk for the population's health. In CW, which employs the self-cleaning ability of ecosystems, waestewater is purified by flowing through the substrate where it comes into contac with plants and microorganisms. The carefully selected plants, substrata and microorganisms replace the expensive machinery, thus significantly reducing the required maintenance and practically eliminating the need for external energy sources. Due to the simplified system no facilities or concrete structures are needed. Furthermore, the purified water can be accumulated and used for irrigation purposes, fighting fires or cultivating aquacultures. Thus the advantages of CW compared with conventional water treatment plants are their appearance, relatively inexpensive construction, simpler maintenance and lower dissipation of energy. With regard to the climate, demographic and industrial decentralisation, declining quality of the sea, the possibilities for constructing such systems in the Mediterranean area are numerous and rational.
Descriptors		FRESH WATER SEWAGE WATER PURIFICATION PLANTS MEDITERRANEAN REGION