Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) removal in constructed wetlands: The role of plants in the treatment of a typical pharmaceutical and personal care product

Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) is a major anionic surfactant used in detergents worldwide and as such is a ubiquitous constituent of domestic and municipal wastewaters. Increasingly, constructed wetlands are being employed as a low cost and sustainable alternative to traditional wastewater treatment processes. Plants are known to play a vital role both directly and indirectly in the removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment constructed wetlands. However, relatively little research has been conducted into the manipulation of the plant component in order to optimise constructed wetland performance. Furthermore, little is known about the role of plants in the removal of specific contaminants including LAS. The present study investigated the effects of plant biomass and plant species on LAS removal in a series of experimental subsurface flow wetlands. Our results confirm that the presence of vegetation enhances LAS removal, with higher biomass systems associated with higher LAS removal rates. Differences in LAS removal were also observed between different plant species, although these were not found to be statistically significant.