Phosphorus is one of the main causes of eutrophication of water bodies. Constructed wetland can remove phosphorus effectively and economically. This paper discusses the mechanism of phosphorus removal in constructed wetland, and reviews the physical/chemical/biological reactions for phosphorus removal by wetland plants, microorganisms and media in the constructed wetland. The effects of temperature, dissolved oxygen, hydraulic retention time and hydraulic load on the phosphorus purification in constructed wetland are discussed. The development and application of non-media constructed wetland for pollutants removal in water are also discussed.

phosphorus  /  constructed wetland  /  media  /  microorganism  /  plants