Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Behavior of Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands in Removing Nutrients and Sediments Under Varying Environmental Conditions

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Water resources are threatened globally and declining water quality is primarily due to stormwater, agricultural, urban, and mining runoffs. Steamboat Creek in Nevada is the largest non point source (NPS) of pollution to the Truckee River. Treatment wetlands are a cost-effective and reliable technique to control NPS pollution, therefore, a large-scale wetland along Steamboat Creek has been proposed as a component of a regional watershed restoration plan. This study used ten parallel pilot-scale wetland mesocosms, and tested the effects of drying and rewetting, hydraulic retention time (HRT), and high nitrogen loading on the efficiency of nutrient and total suspended solids (TSS) removal. Drying and rewetting produced noticeable effects on nutrient retention, but the effect was short-lived. During longer HRT period nutrient removal in manipulated mesocosms with an 8 h HRT were higher than controls with a 4 h HRT. Reducing the HRT from 4 h to 30 min further decreased nutrient interception. During increased influent nitrogen loading (9.5 ± 2.4 mg l−1), manipulated mesocosms functioned as sinks for total nitrogen (TN) with removal efficiency increasing from 45 ± 13% to 87 ± 9%. The average change in TN concentration was 9.1 ± 2.2 mg l−1. Drying/rewetting and varying HRT influenced total phosphorus (TP) and TSS similarly, and TP removal was associated with TSS removal. Results can help make decisions regarding wetland construction, management, and operation more effective in order to reduce nutrient loads to the Truckee River.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Ajwa, H. A., & Tabatabai, M. A. (1995). Metal-induced sulfate adsorption by soils: effect of pH and ionic strength. Soil Sciences, 159, 32–42.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (American Public Health Association). (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (20th ed.). Washington DC, USA.

  • Bachand, P. A., & Horne, A. J. (1999). Denitrification in constructed free-water surface wetlands: I. Very high nitrate removal rates in macrocosm study. Ecological Engineering, 14, 9–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, D. S., & Mitchell, A. M. (2000). The effects of drying and re-flooding on the sediment and soil nutrient dynamics of lowland river-floodplain systems: a synthesis. Regulatory Rivers: Resource Management, 16, 457–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, D. S., Mitchell, A. M., & Rees, G. N. (2000). The effects of in situ drying on sediment–phosphate interactions in sediments from an old wetland. Hydrobiologia, 431, 3–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balogh, S., Swain, E., & Nollet, Y. (2004). Elevated methylmercury concentrations in flooding rivers. RMZ-M&G, Mercury as a Global Pollutant-Part 2, 51(2), 800–819.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bastviken, S. (2006). Nitrogen removal in treatment wetlands—Factors influencing spatial and temporal variations. Ph.D Dissertation, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.

  • Blum, M., Gustin, M. S., Swanson, S., & Donaldson, S. (2001). Mercury in water and sediments in Steamboat Creek. Nevada: implication for stream restoration. Journal of American Water Resource Association, 37(4), 795–804.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bodaly, R. A., St. Louis, V. L., Paterson, M. J., Fudge, R. J. P., Hall, B. D., Rosenberg, D. M., et al. (1997). Bioaccumulation of mercury in the aquatic food chain in newly flooded areas, metal ions in biological systems. New York: Marcel Decker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boström, B., Andersen, J. M., Fleischer, S., & Jansson, M. (1988). Exchange of phosphorus across the sediment–water interface. Hydrobiologia, 170, 229–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casey, R. E., & Klaine, S. J. (2001). Nutrient attenuation by a riparian wetland during natural and artificial runoff events. Journal of Environmental Quality, 30, 1720–1731.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chavan, P. V., & Dennett, K. E. (2008). Wetland simulation model for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediments retention in constructed wetlands. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 187, 109–118.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chavan, P. V., Dennett, K. E., Marchand, E. A., & Gustin, M. S. (2007). Evaluation of water quality and mercury transformation in a constructed wetland. Journal of Hazardous Material, 149, 543–547.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui, M., & Caldwell, M. M. (1997). A large ephemeral release of nitrogen upon wetting dry soil and corresponding root responses in the field. Plant and Soil, 191(2), 291–299.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dal Cin, L. & Persson, J. (2000). The influence of vegetation on hydraulic performance in a surface flow wetland. In K. R. Reddy, & R. H. Kadlec (Eds.), Proceedings of the seventh international conference on wetland systems for water pollution control (pp. 539–546). Lake Buena Vista, FL, 11–16 November, 2.

  • Dierberg, F. E., Juston, J. J., DeBuska, T. A., Pietro, K., & Gu, B. (2005). Relationship between hydraulic efficiency and phosphorus removal in a submerged aquatic vegetation-dominated treatment wetland. Ecological Engineering, 25, 9–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fenn, M. E., Haeuber, R., Tonnesen, G. S., Baron, J. S., Grossman-Clarke, S., Hope, D., et al. (2003). Nitrogen emissions, deposition, and monitoring in the Western United States. BioScience, 53(4), 391–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fleischer, S., Gustafson, A., Joelsson, A., Pansar, J., & Stibe, L. (1994). Nitrogen removal in created ponds. Ambio: A Journal of the Human Environment, 23, 349–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustin, M. S., Chavan, P. V., Dennett, K. E., Donaldson, S. E., & Fernandez, G. (2006a). Use of constructed wetlands with four different experimental designs to assess the potential for methyl and total Hg outputs. Applied Geochemistry, 21(11), 2023–2035.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gustin, M. S., Chavan, P. V., Dennett, K. E., Marchand, E. A., & Donaldson, S. (2006b). Evaluation of wetland methyl mercury export as a function of experimental manipulations. Journal of Environmental Quality, 35, 2352–2359.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holmer, M., & Storkholm, P. (2001). Sulphate reduction and sulphur cycling in lake sediments: a review. Freshwater Biology, 46, 431–451.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, T. E., Whigham, D. F., Hofmockel, K. H., & Pittek, M. A. (2003). Nutrient and sediment removal by a wetland receiving agricultural runoff. Journal of Environmental Quality, 32, 1534–1547.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kadlec, R. H. (2005). Nitrogen farming for pollution control. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, 40, 1307–1330.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kadlec, R. H., & Knight, R. L. (1996). Treatments wetlands. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, Lewis Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kester, C. L., Jill, E. S., & Turk, J. B. T. (2003). Isotopic study of sulfate sources and residence times in a sub-alpine watershed. Environmental Geology, 43, 606–613.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koskiaho, J., & Puustinen, M. (2005). Function and potential of constructed wetlands for the control of N and P transport from agriculture and peat production in boreal climate. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, 40, 1265–1279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kovacic, D. A., David, L. E., Gentry, K. M., Starks, K. M., & Cooke, R. A. (2000). Effectiveness of constructed wetlands in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus export from agricultural tile drainage. Journal of Environmental Quality, 29, 1262–1274.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. H., Isenhart, T. M., Schultz, R. C., & Mickelson, S. K. (1999). Nutrient and sediment removal by switchgrass and cool-season grass filter strips in Central Iowa, USA. Agroforestry Systems, 44, 121–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leon, P. M., Hildeb, M. T., & Jang, M. R. (1998). Sulfate-induced eutrophication and phytotoxicity in freshwater wetlands. Environmental Science and Technology, 32, 199–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, M. J., Coyle, K., & Chittleborough, D. J. (1995). Physical and chemical characterization of phosphorus in soil solutions and soil leachates. Nutrient Mgmt. in Irrigated Agri.: Res. And Impl. Conf. 19–20 June 1995, Echuca VIC, Proceedings.

  • Mitchell, A. M., & Baldwin, D. S. (2000). The effects of sediment desiccation on the potential for nitrification, denitrification, and methanogenesis in an Australian reservoir. Hydrobiologia, 392, 3–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitsch, W. J., & Gosselink, J. G. (2000). Wetlands (3rd ed.). New York, NY, USA: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nairn, R. W., & Mitsch, W. J. (2000). Phosphorus removal in created wetland ponds receiving river overflow. Ecological Engineering, 14, 107–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NDEP (Nevada Division of Environmental Protection). (2003). Chapter 5 Watershed Management.

  • Parfitt, R. L. (1978). Anion adsorption by soils and soil materials. Advance Agronomy, 30, 1–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, S., & McComb, A. J. (1996). Drying-induced stimulation of ammonium release and nitrification in reflooded lake sediment. Marine and Freshwater Research, 47, 531–536.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Raisen, G. W., & Mitchell, D. S. (1995). The use of wetlands for the control on non-point source pollution. Water, Science and Technology, 32, 177–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raisin, G. W., Mitchell, D. S., & Croome, R. L. (1997). The effectiveness of a small constructed wetland in ameliorating diffuse nutrient loadings from an Australian rural catchments. Ecological Engineering, 9, 19–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, K. R., & Angelo, E. M. (1997). Biogeochemical indicators to evaluate pollutant removal efficiency in constructed wetlands. Water Science and Technology, 35(5), 1–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reed, S. C., Crites, R. W., & Middlebrooks, E. J. (1995). Natural systems for waste management and treatment. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, J. E., Djohan, T., & Goldman, C. R. (1993). The use of wetlands for nutrient removal from surface runoff in a cold climate region of California: results from a newly constructed wetland at Lake Tahoe. Journal of Environmental Management, 36, 35–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roden, E. E., & Edmonds, J. W. (1997). Phosphate mobilization in iron-rich anaerobic sediments: microbial Fe (III) oxide reduction versus iron-sulfide formation. Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 139, 347–378.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scholes, M. C., Martin, R., Scholes, R. J., Parsons, D., & Winstead, E. (1997). NO and N2O emissions from savanna soils following the first simulated rains of the season. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 48, 115–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. T., & Boyd, C. E. (1995). Constructed wetlands for treatment of channel catfish pond effluent. Fish-Culturist, 57, 255–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sirianuntaplboon, S., Kongchum, M., & Jltmalkasem, W. (2006). Effects of hydraulic retention time and media of constructed wetland for treatment of domestic wastewater. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 1(2), 27–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spurkland, L. E. (2001). Watershed restoration and water quality improvements along Steamboat Creek using constructed wetlands. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.

  • Thomas, B. (2003). Characterization of total and methyl mercury in Steamboat Creek, Nevada and implication for the Truckee River. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA.

  • Tyrrel, S. F., Leed-Harrison, P. B., & Harrison, K. S. (2002). Removal of ammoniacal nitrogen from landfill leachate by irrigation onto vegetated treatment planes. Water Resource, 36(1), 291–299.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uusitalo, R., Turtola, E., Puustinen, M., Paasonen-Kivekäs, M., & Uusi-Kämppä, J. (2003). Contribution of particulate phosphorus to runoff phosphorus bioavailability. Journal of Environmental Quality, 32(6), 2007–2016.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zak, D., Kleeberg, A., & Hupfer, M. (2006). Sulphate-mediated phosphorus mobilization in riverine sediments at increasing sulphate concentration, River Spree, NE Germany. Biogeochemistry, 80, 109–119.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was jointly funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. We thank the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) for their help in operating wetland mesocosms. We also thank K. Naventhan, Richard Zehner, and other graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Nevada Reno for their field and technical assistance.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nevada, Mail Stop 258, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    Prithviraj V. Chavan, Keith E. Dennett & Eric A. Marchand

  2. 3975 Lisa Court # A, Reno, NV, 89503, USA

    Prithviraj V. Chavan

Authors
  1. Prithviraj V. Chavan
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Keith E. Dennett
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eric A. Marchand
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keith E. Dennett.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chavan, P.V., Dennett, K.E. & Marchand, E.A. Behavior of Pilot-Scale Constructed Wetlands in Removing Nutrients and Sediments Under Varying Environmental Conditions. Water Air Soil Pollut 192, 239–250 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9651-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9651-x

Keywords