Research
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Research Interests
  • Engineered ecosystems for waste treatment -- constructed wetlands, biofilters, ecofilters, and stabilization ponds;
  • Alternative pathways and processes for biological wastewater treatment using engineered ecosystems;
  • Characterization and treatment of wood leachate and logyard runoff in subsurface flow wetlands in colder climates;
  • Phosphorus recovery from anaerobically digested dairy manure;
  • Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals using ecological wastewater treatment systems;
  • Aquatic microbial ecology of natural and engineered systems.

Current Projects
  • A novel process for biological nitrogen removal from dairy wastewater in constructed wetlands. U.S. EPA P3 Program, 2008-2009 (Phase I). PI (with Co-PIs: Stewart Diemont; James Hassett). Watch ESF P3 Team
  • Wood leachate characterization and treatment in subsurface flow wetland cascades. USDA McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program, 2008-2011. PI (with Co-PI: Charles Kroll).
  • Integrating nitritation and anammox in subsurface flow wetlands for biological nitrogen removal and phosphorus recovery from anaerobically digested liquid manure. Pending proposals and self-directed preliminary study.

Referred Journal Articles
  1. Cui, B., C. Wang, W. Tao, and Z. You. 2009. River channel network design for drought and flood control: A case study of Xiaoqinghe River basin, Jinan City, China. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(11):3675-3686.
  2. Tao, W., and J. Wang. 2009. Effects of vegetation, limestone and aeration on nitritation, anammox and denitrification in wetland treatment systems. Ecological Engineering, 35(5): 836-842.
  3. Tao, W., K. Hall, and W. Ramey. 2007. Effects of influent strength on microorganisms in surface flow mesocosm wetlands. Water Research, 41(19): 4557-4565.
  4. Tao, W., K.J. Hall, and S.J.B. Duff. 2007. Microbial biomass and heterotrophic production of surface flow mesocosm wetlands treating woodwaste leachate: responses to hydraulic and organic loading and relations with mass reduction. Ecological Engineering, 31(2): 132-139.
  5. Tao, W., K. Hall, and E. Hall. 2007. Laboratory study on potential mechanisms for treatment of woodwaste leachate in constructed wetlands. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science, 6(1): 85-94.
  6. Tao, W., K.J. Hall, and S.J.B. Duff. 2006. Treatment of woodwaste leachate in surface flow mesocosm wetlands. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, 41(3): 325-332.
  7. Tao, W., K. Hall, and S. Duff. 2006. Heterotrophic bacterial activities and treatment performance of surface flow constructed wetlands receiving woodwaste leachate. Water Environment Research, 78(7): 671-679.
  8. Tao, W., K.J. Hall, and S.J.B. Duff. 2006. Performance evaluation and effects of hydraulic retention time and mass loading rate on treatment of woodwaste leachate in surface flow constructed wetlands. Ecological Engineering, 26(3): 252-265.
  9. Tao, W., K.J. Hall, A. Masbough, K. Frankowski, and S.J.B. Duff. 2005. Characterization of leachate from a woodwaste pile. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada, 40(4): 476-483.
  10. Tao, W. and K. Hall. 2004. Dynamics and influencing factors of heterotrophic bacterial utilization of acetate in constructed wetlands treating woodwaste leachate. Water Research, 38(13-14): 3442-3448.
  11. Tao, W., B. Zhou, W. Barron, and W. Yang. 2000. Tradable discharge permits system for water pollution: case of the upper Nanpan River of China. Environmental and Resource Economics, 15(1): 27-38.
  12. Tao, W. 1999. Environmental characteristics of Yunnan Plateau lakes and research needs. Yunnan Environmental Science, 18(3): 1-3.
  13. Tao, W., F. Xia, and C. Jing. 1999. Environmental issues and management strategy of Lake Chenghai. Resources and Environment of Yangtze River Basin, 8(2): 97-101.
  14. Tao, W., Z. Gong, S. Li, G. Chou, and S. Li. 1997. Study on the urban environmental planning of Chuxiong City. Yunnan Environmental Science, 16(1): 15-18.
  15. Tao, W., B. Zhou, W. Yang, Z. Gong, H. Guo, Z. Yan, H. Wang, and S. Li. 1997. Study on water pollution prevention and control planning of the upper Nanpan River catchment. Yunnan Environmental Science, 16(1): 36-39.
  16. Tao, W. 1996. Review of tradable discharge permits system and its prospective application. Advances in Environmental Science, 4(6): 22-31.
  17. Tao, W., W. Yang, Z. Yan, and H. Wang. 1996. The upper Nanpan River basin: integrated evaluation and management of the water quality-quantity complex. Resource Development and Market, 12(6): 269-271.
  18. Tao, W. 1995. Water pollution control and sustainable development in the upper Nanpan River basin of Yunnan, China. Asian Journal of Environmental Management, 3(2): 119-127.
  19. Zeng, W., W. Tao, H. Wang, Y. Li, and Z. Chen. 1994. Environmental economic cost-benefit analysis in effects of seawater pollution on aquaculture in the economic opening area of Meizhou Bay. Fujian Environment, 11(2): 2-5.
  20. Tao, W., Z. Gong, and Y. Huang. 1993. Study on the water environmental scheme of Chuxiong City, Yunnan. Resource Development and Conservation, 9(2): 114-118.
  21. Tao, W. 1991. Simulation model of the system of industrial economy - water resources - water pollution and strategy analysis in the Anning industrial region, Yunnan. Journal of Natural Resources, 6(4): 380-388.
  22. Tao, W. 1990. Simulating analysis on the system of industrial economy - water resources - water pollution in Anning industrial region. Theoretical and Engineering Geography, 3(1): 58-63.