1. Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Freshwater Wetland Soils
- Author
-
Curtis J. Richardson and Stephen P. Faulkner
- Subjects
geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Wastewater ,Applied ecology ,Wetland soils ,Flooding (psychology) ,Soil water ,Environmental engineering ,Environmental science ,Wetland ,Ecosystem ,Contamination - Abstract
Wetland soils are dominated by anaerobic conditions induced by soil saturation and flooding. This chapter reviews the chemical and physical parameters of soils, particularly freshwater wetland soils, that influence their ability to effectively treat wastewater. Soils may remove wastewater constituents by ion exchange/nonspecific adsorption; specific adsorption/precipitation; and complexation. To maximize the utility of constructed wetlands to treat wastewater, they must be designed and built to emulate natural wetland ecosystem processes. Wetland processes can often enhance removal of a given wastewater constituent, and specific goals should be identified and design criteria developed to meet those goals. The chapter provides an overview of the major pools, intrasystem transformations, and fluxes for N, P, and S in freshwater wetlands along with specific applications involving these and other important contaminants. The challenge facing us in applied ecology is to construct wetlands with optimal retention capacities for removing and storing contaminants.
- Published
- 2020
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