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Effects of long-term municipal effluent discharge on the nutrient dynamics, productivity, and benthic community structure of a tidal freshwater forested wetland in Louisiana
- Source :
-
Ecological Engineering . Oct2006, Vol. 27 Issue 3, p242-257. 16p. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Nutrient dynamics, net aboveground primary productivity (NPP), and benthic macroinvertebrates were measured in a Louisiana tidal, freshwater forested wetland that received secondary treated effluent for 27 years. NO3, NH4, TKN, PO4, TP concentrations were measured at treatment and control sites. TKN (2.0–4.0mg/L), NH4–N (0.4–1.0mg/L) and NO3–N accounted for almost 75%, 25% and less than 1% of TN, respectively. PO4 (0.1–0.9mg/L) was about 50% of TP. TN and TP were reduced by 79% and 88%, respectively, as water flowed through the wetland, which is consistent with low loading rates of 9.4g N and 1.2g P/m2/yr. Litterfall was significantly greater in the treatment site (717g/m2/yr) than one of the control sites (412g/m2/yr). Stem growth (302–776g/m2/yr) was not statistically different among the sites. Total NPP was highest at treatment sites (1467 and 1442g/m2/yr) which were statistically higher than one of the control sites (714g/m2/yr). Total individuals, total species, and species richness of macroinvertebrates were greatest near the outfall and declined away from the discharge. In summary, long-term addition of secondarily treated municipal effluent resulted in a high level of nutrient retention, enhanced forest productivity, and minimal impact on benthic community structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *FORESTED wetlands
*INDUSTRIAL wastes
*WETLANDS
*WATER quality management
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09258574
- Volume :
- 27
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Ecological Engineering
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22279884
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.03.004