Journal article
Performance monitoring of constructed floating wetlands: Treating stormwater runoff during the construction phase of an urban residential development
Science of The Total Environment, Vol.865, pp.1-12
2023
Abstract
In the context of climate change and global trend towards greenfield urbanisation, stormwater and transported pollutants are expected to increase, impairing receiving environments. Constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) can improve stormwater retention pond performance. However, performance data are currently largely restricted to mesocosm experiments, limiting design enhancement fit for field implementation. The present 12-month field study aims to fill part of these gaps by identifying limitations and necessary design improvements for CFWs on a large retention pond/lake. Water in a 2.6-ha lake receiving stormwater from a 45-ha urban area under development in subtropical Queensland, Australia, was recirculated during dry weather periods to minimise algal growth and the risks of blooms. Pollutant removal efficiencies of two full-scale CFWs were evaluated during storm events and dry weather periods as a function of inlet and outlet pollutant concentrations, flow and rainfall. Inlet TSS and TN concentrations in runoff during the construction phase of the development exceeded required water quality limits while TP inflow concentrations were low and often below the detection limit. Median pollutant load reduction efficiencies during storm-events were − 20 % TSS, −2 % TN and 22 % TP at CFW1 and 51 % TSS, 3 % TN and 17 % TP at CFW2, respectively. TSS and TN concentration removal efficiencies at CFW1 were low and highly variable, partly due to low inlet concentrations, high flow velocities and short hydraulic retention times (<1 day). However, CFW1 significantly reduced TSS concentrations during dry weather periods. In contrast, CFW2 significantly reduced TSS concentrations during both storm events and during inter-event periods. This study highlights treatment limitations associated to the operational conditions of CFWs at field-scale not identifiable in a mesocosm-scale study. Further research is necessary to investigate treatment performance of CFWs during the operational phase of the development with higher nutrient levels.
Details
- Title
- Performance monitoring of constructed floating wetlands: Treating stormwater runoff during the construction phase of an urban residential development
- Authors
- Peter Schwammberger (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringKatharina Tondera (Author) - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentTom R Headley (Author) - Wetland & Ecological Treatment Systems LtdKarine E Borne (Author) - National Institute of Water and Atmospheric ResearchCatherine Yule (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringNeil Tindale (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Science of The Total Environment, Vol.865, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161107
- ISSN
- 1879-1026
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99695598402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
45 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites