Dissertation
Pollutant removal performance of constructed floating wetlands for stormwater treatment
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00477
Abstract
Stormwater management is becoming increasingly important to protect our global waters from pollution and ecological degradation. The global trend towards urbanisation demands new stormwater management strategies and mitigation measures. The overall goal of this thesis was to explore removal of pollutants from stormwater runoff by constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) in addition to a lake system for urban catchments. Two large-scale CFWs (with a total area of 2,088 m2) were installed into a newly constructed 2.6-ha lake system to treat stormwater runoff during the construction phase of a 45-ha residential development in subtropical Queensland, Australia. Plant growth, nutrient partitioning and nutrient uptake by tall sedge (Carex appressa) plants in the two large-scale CFWs were investigated (Chapter 2) and compared to C. appressa plants which were removed from the urban lake and were relocated into a well-established 0.127-ha stormwater retention pond at another site (Chapter 3). Low nutrient concentrations in the lake water caused C. appressa plants to allocate biomass predominantly to the roots and to form a long and dense root network which filtered and trapped TSS from construction runoff. The relocated C. appressa plants showed extensive shoot growth associated with high nutrient uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur) but a significant decline in root biomass. In Chapter 4, pollutant removal efficiencies of both CFWs were evaluated during storm events and inter-event periods as a function of inlet and outlet pollutant concentrations, flow and rainfall. Pollutant concentration removal efficiencies for TN and TP were low and highly variable, partly due to low inlet pollutant concentrations and short hydraulic retention times (<1 day), while TSS removal was significant. In summary, this thesis provides improved understanding of pollutant removal processes in CFWs treating stormwater runoff during the early construction stages of an urban development.
Details
- Title
- Pollutant removal performance of constructed floating wetlands for stormwater treatment
- Authors
- Peter Schwammberger
- Contributors
- Neil Tindale (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - LegacyCatherine Yule (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00477
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99465008302621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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