Unveiling the microplastic perturbation on surface flow constructed wetlands with macrophytes of different life forms: Responses of nitrogen removal and sensory quality

Microplastics (MPs) discharging into constructed wetlands pose risks to these ecosystems. Nevertheless, the perturbation of MPs to different types of macrophytes, which play important roles in purifying pollutants of wetlands, has not been fully elucidated. In this study, polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) perturbation on nitrogen removal and sensory quality of surface flow constructed wetlands planted with emergent and submerged macrophytes were investigated. PS-MPs enhanced N removal efficiencies temporarily, whereas the N removal rate constants were declined as exposure time was prolonged. The NH