Microbial diversity in constructed wetlands

Constructed wetland (CW) offers a long-term solution for wastewater treatment due to its high nutrient removal efficiencies, ecological benefits and low costs. In CWs microbial diversity is a critical aspect of understanding and optimizing their performance as sustainable, nature-based systems for wastewater treatment. They play key role in nutrient cycling and contaminant removal. For instance, nitrogen removal in CWs involves several microbial processes, such as nitrification, denitrification, and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox). Each of these processes relies on specific microbial populations that transform nitrogen compounds into less harmful forms. The presence and activity of nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, and Anammox bacteria determine how efficiently nitrogen is removed from the system. Analyzing microbial diversity helps identify the key players and quantify their relative abundances, offering insights into the overall health and performance of the wetland system.