Distribution of toxic metals in constructed wetlands treating municipal wastewater in the Czech Republic

Metal contamination was assessed in selected reedbed systems treating municipal wastewater in the Czech Republic. The study involved six artificial reedbed systems, and aimed at detection of Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn. No significant contamination of shoots, roots and rhizomes, or reedbed substrate was recorded. The distribution of metals among different particle-size fractions was studied. Metals were contained predominantly in the finest particles. The effects of iron-plaque at the surface of roots on the retention and solubilization of metals were studied. These effects were found to be of minor importance.