Assessing nitrogen and phosphorus removal potential of five plant species in floating treatment wetlands receiving simulated nursery runoff

rebecca.killalea@canberra.edu.au on 31 Jan 2022
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Author(s)
Spangler, J. T., Sample, D. J., Fox, L. J., Albano, J. P., & White, S. A.
Year
2019
Title
Assessing nitrogen and phosphorus removal potential of five plant species in floating treatment wetlands receiving simulated nursery runoff
Source
Environmental Science and Pollution Research
DOI
10.1007/s11356-018-3964-0
Volume
26
Issue
6
Pages
5751-5768
ISSN/ISBN
0944-1344,1614-7499
Abstract

The feasibility of using floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) to treat runoff typical of commercial nurseries was investigated using two 8-week trials with replicated mesocosms. Plants were supported by Beemat rafts. Five monoculture treatments of Agrostis alba (red top), Canna × generalis ‘Firebird’ (canna lily), Carex stricta (tussock sedge), Iris ensata ‘Rising Sun’ (Japanese water iris), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), two mixed species treatments, and an unplanted control were assessed. These plant species are used for ornamental, wetland, and biofuel purposes. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removals were evaluated after a 7-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). N removal (sum of ammonium-N, nitrate-N, and nitrite-N) from FTW treatments ranged from 0.255 to 0.738 g·m−2·d−1 (38.9 to 82.4% removal) and 0.147 to 0.656 g·m−2·d−1 (12.9 to 59.6% removal) for trials 1 and 2, respectively. P removal (phosphate-P) ranged from 0.052 to 0.128 g·m−2·d−1 (26.1 to 64.7% removal) for trial 1, and 0.074 to 0.194 g·m−2·d−1 (26.8 to 63.2%removal) for trial 2. Panicum virgatum removed more N and P than any other FTWtreatment and the control in both trials. Results show that species selection and timing of FTW harvest impact the rate and mass of nutrient remediation. FTWs can effectively remove N and P from runoff from commercial nurseries.

Evidence

Cause Effect Response measure type Habitat Country Modified
Plants (aquatic)
Plants in floating treatment wetlands
Water quality - nutrients (nitrogen) (Decrease)
Removal of nitrogen from water.
F statistic/ratio Artificial United States 31-Jan-2022
Plants (aquatic)
Plants in floating treatment wetlands
Water quality - nutrients (phosphorus) (Decrease)
Removal of phosphorus from water.
F statistic/ratio Artificial United States 31-Jan-2022