Changes in dissolved and total Fe and Mn in a young constructed wetland: Implications for retention performance

Surface-flow wetlands are generally considered sinks for Fe and Mn but they may also export and affect the partitioning of these metals. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a young constructed wetland on the retention and transformation of both dissolved and particulate Fe and Mn. Duplicate water samples were collected every three days at the inlet and outlet structures of the Monahan Wetland, Kanata, Ontario, from spring of 1997 to 1999. While on a yearly basis the wetland showed significant retention of the dissolved phase, the retention of total Fe and Mn was poor. There were strong seasonal differences in retention and, during the winter, the wetland was a source. The wetland transformed dissolved into particulate Fe and Mn from spring to fall whereas during the winter, dissolved Fe and Mn were released. Changes in pH, alkalinity and temperature could explain 11% and 40% of the outlet variation in the ratio of dissolved to total Fe and Mn respectively. Furthermore, from spring to late summer, planktonic algal biomass was negatively related to the ratio of dissolved to total Fe and Mn implying a role in Fe and Mn transformations in young wetlands where emergent and submerged vegetation have yet to dominate the system.