Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been successfully employed in both mining and domestic wastewater applications, yet the fundamental processes responsible for treatment are poorly quantified. Sulfur is common in CW influent streams and is highly reactive, redox-sensitive, and microbially active; therefore, it plays an important role in both desirable and deleterious processes in CWs. In this chapter we review the major sulfur transformations likely occurring in CWs, their interactions with other important processes, and their role in the treatment process. We also present two case studies on the influence of sulfate-reducing bacteria and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria on the performance of CW systems designed to treat mining-contaminated and municipal wastewater, respectively. In both cases there is a feedback between these microbial consortia and other microbes responsible for treatment. A better understanding of the important sulfur transformations in CWs will lead to better design and more confident performance expectations.
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Sturman, P.J., Stein, O.R., Vymazal, J., Kröpfelová, L. (2008). Sulfur Cycling in Constructed Wetlands. In: Vymazal, J. (eds) Wastewater Treatment, Plant Dynamics and Management in Constructed and Natural Wetlands. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8235-1_29
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