Artificial wetland, as a low-energy, low-maintenance wastewater treatment technology, represents an ecologically sustainable decentralized wastewater treatment method that has been widely applied globally. The fundamental research on pollutant removal mechanisms, material and energy balance, and nitrogen and phosphorus removal mechanisms in artificial wetlands has become relatively mature. Currently, countries such as the United States, Australia, and various European nations have developed design guidelines for artificial wetlands, typically using first-order plug flow kinetic models.  However, due to the complex factors influencing artificial wetlands, the kinetic parameter values specified in these guidelines vary significantly across different countries.

Globally, there are two major artificial wetland databases—one in the United Kingdom and another in North America. These databases contain valuable information on the design, operation, and construction of approximately 2,000 artificial wetlands, providing significant reference value. Despite the potential, many developing countries, including China, have experienced slow development in the application of artificial wetlands. The primary reason for this is the lack of corresponding design guidelines and standards, leading to suboptimal designs and mediocre performance. Consequently, there is a prevailing perception, even among some experts, that artificial wetlands are unsuitable for China.

However, the global applicability of artificial wetlands is well-documented. From the tropical climate of Tanzania to the cold conditions of Norway, numerous artificial wetlands have been successfully implemented and operate stably. In contrast, many artificial wetlands in China suffer from issues such as clogging, poor treatment performance, and plant mortality. The main reasons for these issues include inadequate understanding of artificial wetland engineering design and the resultant design and operational deviations caused by mechanical imitation. For instance, the use of geotextile layers as wetland filter media has led to clogging due to biofilm growth, and the use of geotextiles to prevent media loss in perforated pipe water collection systems has also caused various blockages.

Therefore, a significant area of research at the institute involves ensuring scientific and reasonable design in engineering projects. This includes selecting the most optimal hydraulic conditions, load control, and plant substrate combinations to ensure the normal operation and efficacy of wetlands.  Developing design standards and establishing a comprehensive database are key measures to expand the application of artificial wetlands in China.

√ Hydraulic and Pollutant Load Relationships, and Design Optimization for Horizontal and Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands
√ Pretreatment Requirements for Different Types of Wetlands
√ Load Enhancement and Design Optimization of Aerated Constructed Wetlands
√ Design and Operation of Green Marsh Rooftop Constructed Wetlands