Connolly, RoseanneRoseanneConnollyZhao, Y.Q.Y.Q.ZhaoSun, GuangzhiGuangzhiSunAllen, StephenStephenAllen2011-09-302011-09-302003 Elsev2004-10-29Process Biochemistry0032-9592http://hdl.handle.net/10197/3198The fate of ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH4-N) was studied in a lab-scale downflow reed bed system treating an artificial landfill leachate. Individual reed beds were submerged by the leachate, then drained and rinsed by tap water. It was discovered that NH4-N was removed by a two-staged process, adsorption onto the reed bed media followed by nitrification into nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N) and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). A drop of NH4-N level of the leachate was observed when the reed beds were submerged. By rinsing of the beds, part of the NH4-N adsorbed inside the bed matrices was re-released into the rinse water. The presence of NO2-N and NO3-N in the rinse water demonstrated that nitrification process took place while the NH4-N was being retained inside the bed matrices. For artificial leachates with NH4-N levels of 150±5 mg/l, an average removal rate of 43.8% in a three-hour treatment was achieved; mass balance analysis indicated that processes of adsorption, and transformation into NO2-N and NO3-N accounted for 63.7%, 4.3% and 24.4% of the NH4-N removal, respectively. This study also demonstrated that in general greater recirculation rate of effluent around the downflow reed beds gives higher NH4-N removal.201535 bytesapplication/pdfenThis is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Process Biochemistry. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Process Biochemistry, 39 (12): 1971-1976 DOI 10.1016/j.procbio.2003.09.020.AdsorptionAmmoniacal-nitrogenLeachateNitrificationReed bedWastewater treatmentAmmonia--Absorption and adsorptionLeachateNitrificationConstructed wetlandsJournal Article39121971197610.1016/j.procbio.2003.09.020https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/