By: Ryan Klosowski

Outline of PointsBackground of WetlandsWhy Wetlands are needed/ProblemsHow Wetlands are solutions?Case Study Showing Wetlands as a SolutionConclusionsMy conclusion

Objective. The purpose of this presentation is to explain

what a wetland is and to show how wetlands could be used as water treatment systems for nutrients and toxins.

What is a Wetland?“An area where water is present at or near

surface for a whole year or different times during the growing season” (US EPA)

Hydric soilsHydrophitic vegetation

http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/photo/wet/veg/wetlands3.jpg

Types of WetlandsMarshes- soft-stemmed plantsSwamps-woody plantsBogs-freshwater/ often glacial lakes/sponge

peat deposits/ moss and evergreensFens-freshwater, grasses, shrubs, wildflowers

http://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/habitats/images/midsize/alderslab.jpg

http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/wetlands/inland.htm

http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/images/bogvl.jpg

http://www.co.kendall.il.us/forest_preserve/images/sf3.jpg

Number of Wetlands6% of the earth’s land surface (Wetlands

International).01% of all water (Wetlands International)

http://geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/impacts/hydrology/wetlands/wet_usa2.jpeg

http://www.wetlands.org/Portals/0/wetland%20inventory/wetlands_map2.jpg

Why Wetlands Are Needed/ProblemsRunoff from agricultural fields, sewer sludge

causing algal blooms, and leading to problems down stream

Pesticides and chemicals into water causing sickness and disease/contamination

Leaching from landfills into groundwaterLoss of Wetlands leading to more run off

How Wetlands Are Solutions?Aquatic plants in wetlands and some

microbes can take up the nitrogen and excess nutrients from run off

Sediment that contains some of the heavy metals can settle out towards the bottom of the wetland out of the water.

Volitization can occur causing dissolved solid toxins to be turned into gases which leave the system

Decomposition by some microbes

Case StudyTawain/Kaoping RiverWetland constructed

in 2004Non-point pollution

from sewage plant, agricultural fields, and industrial wastes into the river.

Make more green areas, protect biodiversity

http://cgcanal.cca.gov.tw/eng/images/dalian-a-1_clip_image014.jpg

http://www.chinamaps.org/images/china-map/province-maps/thumb/taiwan.jpg

Kaoping River

3,625 km.

http://eem.pcc.gov.tw/eemadm/files/images/Experiimage002234.img_assist_custom.jpg

Study

A paper millB agricultural runoff7 basinsA6 and B7 conservationA2-A5 and B2-B6 treatmentA1 and B1 inlets

(Wu et el, 2010)

ExperimentTook water samples

quarterly from inlets A1 and B1 and outlets of A1, A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B4, and B7 grab method

Flow rates at each pointRefrigerated until used.Checked for suspended

sediment, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus , conductivity , pH. Chlorophyll A and total chloroforms

Ion Chromatography, Orion DO meter for oxygen, portable conductivity, and spectrometer

(Wu et el, 2010)

Results

(Wu et el, 2010)

Results•A. 13,454 m 3/day, 0.08 m/day, and 5.5 days

•HLR, and HRT for System B (hydraulic retention rate, hydraulic retention time were•B. 5,309 m /day, 0.04 m/day, and 13.3 /day,•48% BOD and TC from A•96% from B

•TN= 52 and 61%•TP=40%

(Wu et el, 2010)

ConclusionsLower BOD and Eh because of biodegradationHigher Dissolved Oxygen toward surface due to

algae.Low oxygen in lower water because of

nitrification and denitrification and lower nitrate and ammonia. Removed nitrogen the most

BOD (biological oxygen demand) higher correlation with RR and effluent concentrations; higher BO loading, more removal and higher effluent.

ConclusionsNo significant difference for PLR (pollutant loading

rate) and RR of TN, as well a TPThis might be because of plant removal of nutrients.

Increase of nutrients if plants not harvested or sediment removal

First order decay model k values of TN (Total Nitrogen) =.15 and .09; TP(Total Phosphorus)=.1 and .09p; BOD=.21 and .08

Water not meet requirements to be reused for irrigation

2 things to Increase Pollutant removal:Harvest plants frequently to keep plants with high

metabolic rates for removalDecrease amount of nutrients before getting into the

wetland.

My ConclusionsWetlands are efficient of removing nutrients

and toxins from, runoff and sewage sludge.More wetlands need constructed to be able to

catch more runoffLess runoff into rivers could also be an

important solution Wetlands not also important for pollutant

removal but also biodiversity and wildlife preservation.

Worked in Taiwan, can work here in the US

What was Discussed?Background of WetlandsWhy Wetlands are needed/ProblemsHow Wetlands are solutions?Case Study Showing Wetlands as a SolutionConclusionsMy conclusion

ReferencesWu, C. Y., Kao, C. M., Lin, C. E., Chen, C. W., & Lai, Y. C. (2010).

Using a constructed wetland for non-point source pollution control and river water quality purification: a case study in Taiwan. Water Science & Technology, 61(10), 2549-2555.

US EPA. 2001. Functions and Values of Wetlands. US Environmental Protection Agency. Online. 12 November 2011. < http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/outreach/upload/fun_val.pdf/>.

Washington State Department of Ecology. 2011. Functions and Values of Wetlands. Washington State Ecology Department. 11 November 2011. <http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/wetlands/functions.html>.

Wetlands International. 2011. What Are Wetlands? Wetlands for Water and Life. 9 November 2011. http://www.wetlands.org/Aboutus/Whatarewetlands/tabid/202/Default.aspx>.

Gold, J Mike. 2011. Celebrate the Wetlands. Mike J. Gold’s Blog. 13 November 2011. <http://blog.mikejgold.com/celebrate-the-wetlands>.

Questions?