Modeling Plant Uptake of Metal in Constructed Wetlands Supported by Experimentally Derived Uptake Rates.
Abstract
Many communities and Air Force installations are using constructed wetlands to filter trace metals from their stormwater runoff. Constructed wetlands are attractive to industry for runoff mitigation because they are relatively cheap to build and operate and require little or no energy for operation. The purpose of this research project is to develop quantitative concepts for understanding the dynamics of metal uptake in constructed wetland plants by constructing a system dynamics model supported by experimental observation and offer environmental managers a tool to simulate, under a broad range of conditions, long term wetland exposure to stormwater runoff contaminated with trace metals. There are two phases in this project, a modeling phase and an experimental phase. Greater emphasis was given to model development initially in order to determine aspects of the experimental design. The results of the study indicate that metal can accumulate in wetland plants and sediment. Changes in different wetland parameters affect the rate at which metal accumulates in wetland plants and other components. A complete understanding of which wetland parameters to manipulate is essential for proper management of constructed wetlands for stormwater treatment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA323868
Entities
People
- Michael B. Peake
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology