In this study, two types of artificial floating islands (AFIs), group A (consists of 1# and 2# traditional AFIs with plant and soil) and group B (consists of 4# and 5# new-type AFIs with plant, substrate, and with luffa sponge and corncob hanging at the bottom), were constructed, respectively. The removal effects and degradation mechanisms of luffa sponge and corncob in group B were compared and investigated. Plant height, root growth, and packing degradation of the two types of AFIs were studied. Temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH on the decontamination effects of AFI were discussed. The results showed that group A and group B AFIs showed great significant differences in removal of CODCr, TN, NO3--N, NH4+-N, and TP (p < 0.05). The TP removal of group B was 92.8 ± 0.6%, and the TN removal and NO3--N removal were significantly higher than that of group A, which was 90.3 ± 0.8% and 96.0 ± 2.2%, respectively; The addition of luffa sponge and corncob could enhance the biodegradability of sewage and the nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency of group B. The plant growth height of group B planted with Lythrum salicaria was 2.36 times higher than that of group A. The effect of temperature on TP was significantly greater than that of TN, and both groups of AFIs presented continuous improvement capacities of TN and TP removal when the temperature was above 15 °C. Group B was observed with a lower pH range of 6.69~7.12, which was more suitable for denitrification than group A. The release of carbon source of 5#-corncob AFI was 2.51 times higher than 4#-luffa sponge AFI at the end of the experiment.
Keywords: Artificial floating island; Corncob; Luffa sponge; Natural polymer materials; Nutrient removal; Slow-release solid carbon.