Comparaison between several types of constructed wetlands using the life cycle assessment method

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study comparing four different types of Constructed Wetlands (CWs) plants, 1) two stages of Vertical flow bed with flushing feeding systems (fVfV) 2) one stage of Vertical flow bed with pump feeding and recirculation (pVr) 3) two Verticals flow beds followed by one Horizontal flow bed, with flushing feeding system (fVVH), 4) two Verticals flow beds followed by one Horizontal flow bed, without batch feeding (VVH). Environmental impacts have been modeled according to the LCA model software SIMAPRO®. The first results show that the biggest environmental impact is showed by pVr, notably because of its electric consumption. Designers should decide carefully how complex the treatment system needs to be in order to guarantee the ecosystems safety.