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Commercial aquatic plants offer cost-effective method for treating wastewater
September 30, 2008CLEMSON, SC - Nursery and greenhouse operations depend on the use of fertilizers, growth regulators, insecticides, and fungicides. Growers also rely on the use of soilless media, or substrate, in the production of container crops. Concerns arise when excessive irrigation of the container crops grown in soilless media leads to leaching and loss of nutrients and chemicals in runoff. The resulting runoff can escape from production areas and have a negative impact on surface and ground water.
The presence of nutrients in runoff and concerns of their impact on surface and groundwater quality has undergone increasing interest and scrutiny from the public, environmental groups, governmental agencies, and elected officials. Since its enactment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enforced provisions of the Clean Water Act related to point-source pollution. In 1999, the EPA began enforcing nonpoint source pollution controls, mandating that all states implement a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program for all watersheds and bodies of water.
Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been promoted as inexpensive, low-technology approaches to treating agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastewater to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. CWs, or marshes built to treat contaminated water, incorporate soil and drainage materials, water, plants, and microorganisms. "Surface-flow" constructed wetlands resemble shallow freshwater marshes and generally require a large land area for wastewater treatment. More effective for greenhouse and nursery operations with limited production space and expensive land are a type of constructed wetland called "subsurface flow". Subsurface flow wetlands consist of a lined or impermeable basin filled with a coarse medium, typically gravel, and wetland plants. Wastewater flows horizontally or vertically below the surface of the media to prevent exposure to humans or wildlife.
Robert Polomski and his colleagues at Clemson University published a study in the June 2008 issue of HortScience that investigated the nitrogen and phosphorus removal potential by a vegetated, laboratory-scale subsurface flow system. "In this study, we investigated a cost-effective approach of reducing water treatment costs. Instead of traditional wetland plants, we found that commercially available aquatic garden plants can be used in a production/remediation system."
Over an eight-week period, five commercially available aquatic garden plants received a range of nitrogen and phosphorus that spanned the rates detected in nursery runoff. According to Polomski, "the results support the use of aquatic garden plants as aesthetic and economically viable alternatives to traditional wetland plants in constructed wetlands. Although more research is necessary to address other variables, the study concluded that the use of commercially produced plants in constructed wetlands has the potential to generate revenue for producers.
American Society for Horticultural Science
Robert Polomski and his colleagues at Clemson University published a study in the June 2008 issue of HortScience that investigated the nitrogen and phosphorus removal potential by a vegetated, laboratory-scale subsurface flow system. "In this study, we investigated a cost-effective approach of reducing water treatment costs. Instead of traditional wetland plants, we found that commercially available aquatic garden plants can be used in a production/remediation system."
Over an eight-week period, five commercially available aquatic garden plants received a range of nitrogen and phosphorus that spanned the rates detected in nursery runoff. According to Polomski, "the results support the use of aquatic garden plants as aesthetic and economically viable alternatives to traditional wetland plants in constructed wetlands. Although more research is necessary to address other variables, the study concluded that the use of commercially produced plants in constructed wetlands has the potential to generate revenue for producers.
American Society for Horticultural Science
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Aquatic Plants Current Events and Aquatic Plants News RSSBillion-year revision of plant evolution timeline may stem from discovery of lignin in seaweed
Land plants' ability to sprout upward through the air, unsupported except by their own woody tissues, has long been considered one of the characteristics separating them from aquatic plants, which rely on water to support them.
Models Simulate Nitrate Dynamics in Garonne, Southwest France
The over-enrichment of fresh, transitional, and marine waters with nitrogen (N) can lead to problems associated with eutrophication, such as a change in species composition of aquatic plants and nuisance algal blooms. In this context, dynamic models of flow and water quality are required to aid the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and to understand the impacts of environmental change.
Alpine rivers hold important clues for preserving biodiversity and coping with climate change
Marginal plants, particularly trees, play a crucial role in sustaining the biodiversity of Europe's big river systems, according to a recently held workshop organised by the European Science Foundation (ESF).
Nanoscale silver: No silver lining?
Widespread use of nanoscale silver will challenge regulatory agencies to balance important potential benefits against the possibility of significant environmental risk, highlighting the need to identify research priorities concerning this emerging technology, according to a new report released today by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN).
Woody and aquatic plants pose greatest invasive threat to China
Although China currently has fewer invasive woody plants than the United States, China's potential for invasion by nonnative trees and shrubs is high, according to an article in the May 2008 issue of BioScience.
Research team finds that microorganisms filter nitrogen from small streams
To understand how nitrogen accumulates in large rivers and oceans miles and miles away, scientists like Walter Dodds looked at small streams flowing closer to home.
Healthy rivers needed to remove nitrogen
Healthy streams with vibrant ecosystems play a critical role in removing excess nitrogen caused by human activities, according to a major new national study published this week in Nature.
Crane hatching marks a first for Smithsonian's National Zoo
Smithsonian's National Zoo has announced a first in its 118-year history — the hatching of a rare wattled crane chick.
UBC researchers reveal dwarf aquatic plants' hidden ancestry
A team of UBC researchers has re-classified an ancient line of aquatic plants previously thought to be related to grasses and rushes. The discovery clarifies what may be one of the biggest misunderstandings in botanical history.
Environments resilient in the face of hurricanes, but questions remain, says journal special issue
The international Estuarine Research Federation (ERF) has announced the publication of a special issue of its scientific journal, Estuaries and Coasts, focused on environmental impacts of hurricanes in coastal areas.
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biOrb Aquatic Topiary Packs - 3 Plants by biOrb Aquatic Topiary can be simply added to the aquarium, instantly adding color and additional interest. Aquatic Topiary Packs contain three sizes with full instructions, they are a wonderfully simple way to enhance any aquarium in just a few minutes. |
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Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Northeastern North America, Volume I: A Revised and Enlarged Edition of Norman C. Fassett's A Manual of Aquatic Plants, Volume ... Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms: Dicotyledons by Garrett E. Crow (Author), C. Barre Hellquist (Author), Norman C. Fassett (Author) This is by far the best and most comprehensive manual and illustrated guide to native and naturalized vascular plants—ferns, conifers, and flowering plants—growing in aquatic and wetland habitats in northeastern North America, from Newfoundland west to Minnesota and south to Virginia and Missouri. Published in two volumes, this long-awaited work completely revises and greatly expands Norman Fassett’s 1940 classic A Manual of Aquatic Plants, yet retains the features that made Fassett’s book so useful. Features include: |
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Graceful Dwarf Cattail 50 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens Graceful cattail is native to marshes and wetlands in Europe and Asia. It is a marginal aquatic perennial that spreads by creeping rhizomes to form dense colonies in shallow water. Features narrow, upright, sword-like, linear, mostly basal, green leaves up to 5 feet tall and a stiff, unbranched central flower stalk that is typically equal to or slightly less than the height of the leaves. Yellowish male (staminate) flowers are located at the top of the inflorescence and greenish female (pistillate) flowers are located underneath. In this species, the staminate and pistillate flowers are separated by a gap of up to 2 inches of stalk. Flowers bloom in summer. After bloom, the male flowers rapidly disperse, leaving a naked stalk tip. The pollinated female flowers turn brown as the seeds... |
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Macrophytes in Aquatic Ecosystems: From Biology to Management: Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Aquatic Weeds, European Weed Research Society by Springer Macrophytes and macrophytes ecology have gained an added importance with the introduction of, and legal requirement to implement, the European Water Framework Directive. This reflects the valuable role that aquatic plant communities play in assessing the ecological status of water bodies. Significant changes in the status and general abundance of these communities has been recorded in the last three decades, consequent on such factors as global warming and, increasingly, on the spread of aggressive alien species. These changes have been most felt in those waters that are exploited for amenity and recreational pursuits. The increased biomass of aquatic vegetation in water bodies has adversely impacted on leisure use of these systems but has also impacted on their use for agricultural,... |
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A Manual of Aquatic Plants by Norman C. Fassett (Author), Eugene C. Ogden (Editor) Though Norman C. Fassett’s classic, Manual of Aquatic Plants has been superseded by a comprehensive new edition from Garrett Crow and Barre Hellquist (see below), it still has an affectionate following, much like old editions of classic cookbooks and dictionaries. Fassett prepared the data to make the identification of aquatic plants as simple as possible, not only when they are flowering or fruiting, but also in sterile condition. The Manual covers a region from Minnesota to Missouri and eastward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Virginia. Originally published in 1940, the Manual was reissued in 1957 with revised nomenclature and other updates by Eugene C. Ogden. A Manual of Aquatic Plants includes 219 elegant line drawings and seven photographs of aquatic plants, a glossary, an... |
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Eldorado Yellow Water Lily Nymphaea 10 Seeds by Hirt's Gardens This variety has lemon yellow flowers and lemon yellow sepals. Leaves are green with purple blotches and green, purple blotched undersides. Leaves of this lily often disintegrate around the pad centers. Plant height varies with depth of water. Commonly referred to as "Water Lilies" these plants have adapted to living in a total water environment. The leaves of these plants are individually supported on leaf stalks called petioles. Water Lily blossoms vary greatly in color and size. They enjoy neutral to alkaline water and grow best in full sun. Planting should be done in water no cooler than 75 degrees F. If the water is too cool the plant will enter a dormant state. Cultivar: Eldorado Family: Nymphaeaceae Size: Height: 0 ft. to 0 ft. Width: 0 ft. to 6 ft. Plant Category: aquatic... |
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Jungle Labs Aquatic Plant Food Tabs 65 Tabs by AllPawsPetSupply Low in Phosphates and Heavy Metals / Continually feeds potted pond plants for up to two weeks |
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Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants by Greg Speichert (Author), Sue Speichert (Author) Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants is the definitive photographic reference to the full range of plants available to the water gardener. More than seven years in the making by the founding members of the American Water Gardening Society, this book promises to be the bible for the selection and cultivation of every water garden plant. This volume includes hundreds of water garden plants often overlooked in other books, such as marginal plants, floating plants, bog plants, and submerged plants. Of course, waterlilies and loutses are described in detail as well. The encyclopedia is unique in its thorough horticultural treatment of the plants described and pictured in these pages, offering complete information on hardiness, culture, propagation, and pests and diseases. With more... |
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Grasses, Sedges and Rushes Part 2 Aquatic Plant Identification Also With: Univerity of Florida (Producer) 55 minutes VHS | |
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Party Decoration Necktie with lotus, plant, greenery, vegetation, Asia, weeds, Burma, aquatic by SHOPZEUS Party decoration necktie with sublimated artwork. High quality, silky touch, snow white polyester. Ideal birthday gift. Sublimation and shipping might take 6-10 business days. |
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