Purification efficiencies and microbial community structure of integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment during acclimation period

Two parallel pilot-scale integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland systems (IVCWs) were employed to study the removal efficiencies for domestic wastewater and changes of microbial community structure during acclimation period. The results indicated that the acclimation period for common pollutants removal was 40 days. The mean removal rates during acclimation period were achieved for COD (77.02%), TN (57.21%), NH4+-N (45.63%) and TP (67.78%), respectively. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis and function groups PCA analysis demonstrated the microorganism community structure during the acclimation period realized stable after 90 days' operation. Based on the results of purification effects and microbial community structure, 90 days was probably optimal acclimatization period for IVCW system under this experimental condition.