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Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICW): Ecological Development in Constructed Wetlands for Manure Treatment

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Abstract

In Flanders (Belgium), treatment systems based on constructed wetlands have been successfully implemented to treat the liquid fraction of separated pig manure, resulting in water that meets the stringent discharge criteria. As these systems have proven their nutrient removal performance, attention has moved towards the concept of biodiversity development from a perspective of Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICWs). The spontaneous colonization of constructed wetlands with macroinvertebrates was examined to quantify the added biological value presented by a farmyard treatment wetland. In total, 17 taxa were found. The diversity of macroinvertebrates increased along the water treatment path in the system and was higher in summer than in autumn. Several pollution sensitive taxa like Orthetrum, Ischnura, and Cloeon were found at the last basins of the treatment wetland chain. Most species were insects, since their adults can easily aerially colonize these recently constructed systems. Water quality was assessed using the Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF), and showed a general increase towards the end of the treatment. The MMIF increased significantly with decreasing nutrient levels. ICWs adequately combine the treatment of wastewater with supporting and enhancing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Ingrid Zwertvaegher for her assistance in sample collection and identification. Koen Lock was supported by a post-doctoral fellowship from the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO-Vlaanderen, Belgium). Evi Michels was supported by funding from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT, Belgium).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, J. Plateaustraat 22, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Pieter Boets, Koen Lock & Peter L. M. Goethals

  2. Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Evi Michels, Erik Meers & Filip M. G. Tack

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  1. Pieter Boets
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  2. Evi Michels
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  3. Erik Meers
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  4. Koen Lock
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  5. Filip M. G. Tack
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  6. Peter L. M. Goethals
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Correspondence to Pieter Boets.

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Boets, P., Michels, E., Meers, E. et al. Integrated Constructed Wetlands (ICW): Ecological Development in Constructed Wetlands for Manure Treatment. Wetlands 31, 763–771 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-011-0193-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-011-0193-4

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