In situ continuous monitoring of nitrogen with ion-selective electrodes in a free-water surface constructed wetland accepting treated wastewater: an operating protocol to obtain reliable data | Suivi en continu in situ de l'azote avec des électrodes sélectives d'ions dans une zone de rejet végétalisée : un protocole opératoire pour obtenir des données fiables

Areas similar to free water surface constructed wetlands (FWS CWs) placed between wastewater treatment plants and receiving water bodies, under the perception that they increase water quality. More than 500 systems are in operation with a multitude of configurations and intended outcomes. In order to monitor these areas, research is being carried out to understand the fate of water and conventional pollutants in these systems. To this aim, a FWS CW located in southern France is monitored with traditional grab samples and 24-h flow composite samples. This site has also been instrumented with 6 Ion-Selective Electrodes (ISEs) probes recording continuously ammonium and nitrate concentrations. Because pollutant concentrations are usually low in treated wastewater, sometimes close to quantification limits of laboratory methods, we are developing appropriate methodologies for the management of the probes and the data processing. In this context, we propose a reliable methodology to increase the quality of data from ISE probes. This methodology is based on (i) laboratory experiments for sensor characterization and (ii) field tests. Laboratory experiments allowed characterizing the operating parameters like response time, linearity range, quantification limits, and interferences. Furthermore, for one-year, field tests are led every two weeks to (i) evaluate the required cleaning frequency and (ii) do grab samples analyses that help to validate data from the 6 ISEs. A drift in time appears to be significant for ammonium sensor. An additional experiment is currently monitoring this drift to correct this effect on measurement. This study has confirmed that it is fundamental to understand the technical limitations of the measuring equipment and set appropriate maintenance and calibration methodologies in order to have an accurate interpretation of data. The result is an operating protocol mainly concerning an acceptable cleaning frequency of two weeks, a stronger complementary calibration method using water from the experimental site, an evaluation of the drift and the determination of quantification limits of these ISEs (1 mg/L for ammonium and 0.5 m/L for nitrate). This protocol generates validated data that can be used to study nitrate and ammonium dynamics. In combination with the usual 24-h composite sampling method, it gives a good understanding of the fate of nitrogen within this FWS CW system. An example of data processing will be submitted.