scholarly journals Runoff pH Influences Nutrient Removal Efficacy of Floating Treatment Wetland Systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 756-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Garcia Chance ◽  
Joseph P. Albano ◽  
Cindy M. Lee ◽  
Staci M. Wolfe ◽  
Sarah A. White
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Water Flow Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Treatment Wetland ◽  
P Fertilizer ◽  
Floating Treatment Wetlands ◽  
Irrigation Runoff ◽  
Typical Range

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs), a modified constructed wetland technology, can be deployed in ponds for the treatment of nursery and greenhouse irrigation runoff. The pH of nursery and greenhouse operation irrigation water varies from 3.3 to 10.4 across the United States. Water flow rate, plant species selection, and variable nutrient inputs influence the remediation efficacy of FTWs and may interact with the pH of inflow water to change nutrient remediation dynamics. Therefore, an experiment was designed to quantify the effect of pH on the growth and nutrient uptake capacity of three macrophyte species using a mesocosm FTW system. ‘Rising Sun’ japanese iris (Iris ensata), bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), and maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) were grown for two 6-week periods and exposed to five pH treatment levels representing the range of nursery and greenhouse irrigation runoff, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.2, and 8.5, for a total of 15 plant and pH combinations. Water was treated with either hydrochloric acid to decrease the pH or sodium hydroxide to increase the pH. The pH-adjusted solutions were mixed with 12 mg·L−1 nitrogen (N) and 6 mg·L−1 phosphorus (P) fertilizer (64.8 g·m−3 N and 32.4 g·m−3 P). Differences in pH impacted both N and P removal from the FTW systems for two of the three species studied, maidencane and bushy bluestem. Higher pH treatments reduced nutrient removal efficacy, but plants were still capable of consistently removing nutrients across all pH treatments. Conversely, ‘Rising Sun’ japanese iris maintained similar remediation efficacies and removal rates across all pH treatments for both N and P, possibly due to the ability to acidify its rhizosphere and modify the pH of the system. Average N and P loads were reduced by 47.3 g·m−3 N (70%) and 16.6 g·m−3 P (56%). ‘Rising Sun’ japanese iris is a promising plant for use in highly variable conditions when the pH of irrigation runoff is outside the typical range (5.5–7.5). Results from model simulations poorly predict the nutrient availability of P and ammonium in effluent, most likely due to the inability to determine plant and biological contributions to the system, such as N-fixing bacteria.

scholarly journals Alkalinity of Irrigation Return Water Influences Nutrient Removal Efficacy of Floating Treatment Wetland Systems1

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 128-142
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Garcia Chance ◽  
Joseph P. Albano ◽  
Cindy M. Lee ◽  
Ashley M. Rovder ◽  
Sarah A. White
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
The United States ◽  
Treatment Wetland ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Plant Nitrogen ◽  
Iris Ensata ◽  
Carex Stricta ◽  
Return Water ◽  
Panicum Virgatum L

Abstract Water quality concerns often prevent reuse of captured irrigation return water for irrigation of specialty crops. Prior research indicated alkalinity of specialty crop operation irrigation varies from 0 to >500 mg.L−1 ( >0.06 oz.gal−1) CaCO3 across the United States. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are an option for remediation of nutrients in irrigation return water, but effects of variable alkalinity on nutrient removal efficiency of FTWs are unknown. An experimental FTW system was developed to quantify the effect of alkalinity on the growth and nutrient uptake capacity of three plant species. ‘Rising Sun' Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Rising Sun’ Thunb.), upright sedge (Carex stricta Lam.);, and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). were grown for 6 weeks at one of five alkalinity treatment levels, representing the alkalinity range of nursery and greenhouse irrigation runoff: 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg.L−1 CaCO3 (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.05 oz.gal−1 CaCO3). Overall, Japanese iris demonstrated consistent remediation across each alkalinity treatment for both nutrient load reduction and plant accumulation. Species of iris warrant greater consideration and use in bioremediation systems. Both upright sedge and switchgrass could be used in systems with appropriate alkalinity levels. Future work should consider assessing novel plants at different points within their growth cycle, extended exposure durations, and decreased hydraulic retention time. Index words: Aquatic plant, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium bicarbonate, nitrogen speciation. Species Used in this study: ‘Rising Sun' Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Rising Sun' Thunb.); upright sedge (tussock sedge) (Carex stricta Lam.); switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).

Carcoar Wetland – A Wetland System for River Nutrient Removal

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. White ◽  
I. C. Smalls ◽  
P. A. Bek
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Flood Plain ◽  
Principal Function ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Green Algal ◽  
Wetland System ◽  
Design Construction

During December, 1991 the NSW Department of Water Resources commenced construction of an artificial wetland at the upstream end of Carcoar Dam near Blayney in central western NSW. The principal function of the wetland is to reduce nutrient inputs, especially phosphorus, from the Belubula River into Carcoar storage and consequently lower the incidence of blue-green algal blooms which occur most summers. The wetland is a multi-faceted project involving substantial research and community involvement. Construction of the wetland weir and levees was completed during April, 1992. Stage one of the wetland planting program ran from October to December, 1992 with stage two scheduled for the same period in 1993. The wetland will not be operational until December, 1993. However, even at this early point in the project, significant experience has been gained in design, construction, planting and establishment of comprehensive community involvement programs for large constructed wetlands on the flood plain. This paper outlines the background to the wetland, the design of the wetland system and its construction primarily as a nutrient removal mechanism in the Belubula River. The paper also outlines the direction of research undertaken and the role and nature of community involvement in various aspects of the project.

Evaluation of phosphorus retention in a South Florida treatment wetland

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.K. Nungesser ◽  
M.J. Chimney
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Treatment Wetland ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Macrophyte Community ◽  
Floating Macrophyte

The Everglades Construction Project of the South Florida Water Management District (District) will employ large constructed wetlands known as Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) to reduce phosphorus concentrations in runoff entering the Everglades. The District built and operated a prototype STA, the 1,545 ha Everglades Nutrient Removal Project (ENRP), to determine the efficacy of subtropical wetlands for improving regional water quality with a focus on reducing total phosphorus (TP). In five years of operation, the ENRP has consistently exceeded its performance goals of TP outflow concentrations <50 μg P/L and a 75% TP load reduction. Since August 1994, the ENRP has retained 70.3 metric tons of TP that otherwise would have entered the Everglades. When corrected for surface area and inflow TP load, TP removal efficiency was highest in the inflow buffer cell and decreased generally in a downstream fashion through the wetland. High TP removal efficiency in treatment cell 4 was attributed to superior performance of its submerged aquatic vegetation community relative to the emergent and floating macrophyte community in the other cells. Controlled experiments in the District's STA Optimization Research Program will help clarify what effect vegetation and operational conditions may have on nutrient removal in the STAs.

scholarly journals Floating treatment wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment

2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 2089-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Faulwetter ◽  
M. D. Burr ◽  
A. B. Cunningham ◽  
F. M. Stewart ◽  
A. K. Camper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Wetlands ◽  
Synthetic Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Wetland ◽  
Mineral Salts ◽  
Domestic Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Floating Treatment Wetlands

Floating islands are a form of treatment wetland characterized by a mat of synthetic matrix at the water surface into which macrophytes can be planted and through which water passes. We evaluated two matrix materials for treating domestic wastewater, recycled plastic and recycled carpet fibers, for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrogen removal. These materials were compared to pea gravel or open water (control). Experiments were conducted in laboratory scale columns fed with synthetic wastewater containing COD, organic and inorganic nitrogen, and mineral salts. Columns were unplanted, naturally inoculated, and operated in batch mode with continuous recirculation and aeration. COD was efficiently removed in all systems examined (>90% removal). Ammonia was efficiently removed by nitrification. Removal of total dissolved N was ∼50% by day 28, by which time most remaining nitrogen was present as NO3-N. Complete removal of NO3-N by denitrification was accomplished by dosing columns with molasses. Microbial communities of interest were visualized with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) by targeting specific functional genes. Shifts in the denitrifying community were observed post-molasses addition, when nitrate levels decreased. The conditioning time for reliable nitrification was determined to be approximately three months. These results suggest that floating treatment wetlands are a viable alternative for domestic wastewater treatment.

scholarly journals Pecan Nutrient Element Status and Orchard Soil Fertility in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 432-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Lenny Wells
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fertility Survey ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Orchard Soil ◽  
Southern Georgia

This survey addresses the current nutritional status of orchards typical of a large portion of the United States pecan (Carya illinoinensis) industry. A leaf nutrition and soil fertility survey was conducted for commercial orchards in a major production area of the U.S. pecan belt, which is located in southern Georgia. The study sampled pecan orchards from 18 July to 5 Aug. 2005 and 17 July to 3 Aug. 2008. All orchards had a history of commercial level orchard management, and represented a wide range of orchards typical of the region. Results indicate that southeastern U.S. pecan producers should focus their nutrient inputs on nitrogen (N), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and copper (Cu) as needed. The survey results show that leaf N can vary widely by season and among orchard locations. Evidence indicates that many growers could likely forego the soil application of phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) until leaf or soil analysis indicates a need. Orchard soil organic matter (SOM) in 2008 averaged 3.63%, and ranged from 1.74% on coarse-textured sandy soils to 5% on sandy loam soils. Both SOM and soil nitrate-N were higher in orchards using clover (Trifolium spp.) as a cool-season orchard groundcover than those using a grass sod only. The mean carbon:S ratio of Georgia pecan orchard soils was 504:1, which may further reduce tree uptake of S from low-S soils.

scholarly journals Tree Ordinances as Public Policy and Participation Tools: Development in Alabama

2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-171
Author(s):  
Yaoqi Zhang ◽  
Bin Zheng ◽  
Brenda Allen ◽  
Neil Letson ◽  
Jeff Sibley
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Private Property ◽  
The United States ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Urban Trees ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Species Selection ◽  
Tree Protection

Following a brief overview of the historical evolution of tree ordinances in the United States, this paper focuses on the development of tree ordinances in the state of Alabama to demonstrate how the tree ordinances evolve into law and the role such ordinances have on urban trees. Even though tree ordinances have a long history in the United States, they have been rapidly developing since the 1970s. Among the 100 municipalities that have some type of tree ordinance in Alabama, based on this investigation, the major responsibilities of tree ordinances include: having a tree commission (board), defining tree planting, removal and replacement of trees on public land, public tree protection and care, tree species selection, and dead tree removal on public and private property. Considering the broadness and complexity of urban trees, this paper indicates tree ordinances provide not only a legal framework, but also an effective tool to engage public participation and awareness of urban trees in the process of formulating, implementing, and amending of the tree ordinances. Development of tree ordinances requires government support, citizen participation, and consideration of local resources.

scholarly journals Outsized nutrient contributions from small tributaries to a Great Lake

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (45) ◽  
pp. 28175-28182
Author(s):  
Robert J. Mooney ◽  
Emily H. Stanley ◽  
William C. Rosenthal ◽  
Peter C. Esselman ◽  
Anthony D. Kendall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Nutrient Loads ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Small Streams ◽  
Large Water

Excessive nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading is one of the greatest threats to aquatic ecosystems in the Anthropocene, causing eutrophication of rivers, lakes, and marine coastlines worldwide. For lakes across the United States, eutrophication is driven largely by nonpoint nutrient sources from tributaries that drain surrounding watersheds. Decades of monitoring and regulatory efforts have paid little attention to small tributaries of large water bodies, despite their ubiquity and potential local importance. We used a snapshot of nutrient inputs from nearly all tributaries of Lake Michigan—the world’s fifth largest freshwater lake by volume—to determine how land cover and dams alter nutrient inputs across watershed sizes. Loads, concentrations, stoichiometry (N:P), and bioavailability (percentage dissolved inorganic nutrients) varied by orders of magnitude among tributaries, creating a mosaic of coastal nutrient inputs. The 6 largest of 235 tributaries accounted for ∼70% of the daily N and P delivered to Lake Michigan. However, small tributaries exhibited nutrient loads that were high for their size and biased toward dissolved inorganic forms. Higher bioavailability of nutrients from small watersheds suggests greater potential to fuel algal blooms in coastal areas, especially given the likelihood that their plumes become trapped and then overlap in the nearshore zone. Our findings reveal an underappreciated role that small streams may play in driving coastal eutrophication in large water bodies. Although they represent only a modest proportion of lake-wide loads, expanding nutrient management efforts to address smaller watersheds could reduce the ecological impacts of nutrient loading on valuable nearshore ecosystems.

scholarly journals Data on floating treatment wetland aided nutrient removal from agricultural runoff using two wetland species

Data in Brief ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 756-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan T. Spangler ◽  
David J. Sample ◽  
Laurie J. Fox ◽  
James S. Owen ◽  
Sarah A. White
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Removal ◽  
Agricultural Runoff ◽  
Treatment Wetland ◽  
Floating Treatment Wetland ◽  
Wetland Species

Restoring Hamilton Harbour

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-270
Author(s):  
G. Keith Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Great Lakes ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Industrial Effluents ◽  
The United States ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Trophic Conditions ◽  
Hamilton Harbour ◽  
Beneficial Uses

Abstract Hamilton Harbour is one of 43 “Areas of Concern” in the Great Lakes for which plans must be developed to restore beneficial uses specified in the 1987 agreement between Canada and the United States regarding Great Lakes Water Quality. Assessment of the remaining barriers to achieving the ecosystemic values or beneficial uses of the Harbour reveals the types of problems encountered in similar situations elsewhere—eutrophication from excessive nutrient inputs (primarily from sewers and sewage treatment plants), a historical legacy of infilling of crucial fish and wildlife habitat and of contaminated sediment (residues of past sewage discharges and steel industrial effluents). Water quality, except for trophic conditions, already meets existing standards as a result of progress in the past 20 years. The major challenge in the proposed program to restore the beneficial uses, apart from the cost of correcting the existing situation, will be how to maintain conditions in the face of population growth and industrial diversification. There are technological limits and heavy costs associated with implementing the technology that is available for the final steps in the restoration program.

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