AWWA ACE99308

The purpose of this research study was to characterize the changes occurring in the organic quality and the nutrient levels of the Des Plaines River as it flows through a restored marsh as a function of season and hydraulics. A series of five field experiments were conducted over three different seasons: fall, spring, and summer. These experiments were carried out at the Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project, which is a 550-acre experimental station in Wadsworth, IL. The Des Plaines River drains an agricultural (80%) and urban (20%) watershed carrying non-point source contaminants. The predominant plants are potamogeton, bulrush, and cattails. The river water was pumped into one of the experimental marshes at a rate of 3 cfs for 8 hours each day. The hydraulic characteristics of the system were determined by LiCl tracer studies. The influent and effluent of the system were sampled, as were various internal locations, and the samples were analyzed for concentrations of nitrate/nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, dissolved organic carbon, and alkalinity. In addition, the macromolecular organic matrix was fingerprinted by pyrolysis-GC/MS (PY-GC/MS). Dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductance, and pH were profiled as a function of depth.

Product Details

Published:

01/01/1999

ISBN(s):

1583210016

Number of Pages:

5

File Size:

1 file , 160 KB