Promoting sustainability in the oil industry: The benefits of using constructed wetlands for oily wastewater treatment

Abstract

Natural processes are widely applied in wastewater treatment. Most of the established technologies and methods are based on these processes (e.g., sedimentation, filtration, biological activity), but they are usually associated with complex and energy-consuming electro-mechanical equipment (Stefanakis, 2020a). The main difference between nature-based solutions and conventional technologies is the use of only natural components and processes for the treatment. Among the various natural treatment systems, such as facultative and oxidation ponds, Constructed Wetlands (CWs) is the most promising sustainable treatment method with increasing worldwide interest. Natural wetlands have been utilized as disposal sites for secondary or tertiary wastewater effluents for thousands of years (Stefanakis et al., 2014). The transition from Natural to Constructed Wetlands was based on the exploitation of naturally occurring processes under a controlled environment for beneficial human and environmental usage. Thus, man-made wetlands are designed to mimic and enhance the functions and operations of natural wetlands. Their excellent treatment performance, the environmentally friendly character, and the lower overall costs placed CWs at the forefront of the scientific and market interest. In addition, they offer the benefits of design flexibility and replicability, low and simple maintenance, low operation cost, and small environmental impact, all of which are consistent with the principles of a 'circular water economy' (Stefanakis, 2019;2020a).

Constructed Wetlands for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment in Hot and Arid Climates: Opportunities, Challenges and Case Studies in the Middle East

“…The climate in the area is a typical desert climate, with average air temperature increasing from January to June and exceeding 50 • C during the daytime, while precipitation is practically negligible. The treatment plant consists in 490 hectares of FWSCWs and 780 hectares of downstream evaporation ponds (EPs) (Figure 10; [52,79,80]), making it one of the world's largest commercial CWs. The oily wastewater is sent to the facility through a pipeline.…”

“…Considering the close-to-zero energy demand of this CW system, the estimated total energy reduction exceeds 99% compared to the deep well disposal option [18], which also translates to significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions (above 99%). At the same time, the large CW system in the desert provides a comfortable stop-over between Asia and Africa for more than 130 identified migratory bird species [80].…”