Increased nutrient concentrations, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, degrade water quality and contribute to ecological problems such as algae blooms and fish kills. Wetlands and riparian areas serve as natural water filters by providing an environment that promotes the uptake and transformation of nutrients and other pollutants. We conduct research aimed at finding natural, cost-effective ways of utilizing ecosystem processes to address real-world water quality concerns.
Some of the research our lab has conducted includes: 1) Investigating the effectiveness of freshwater diversion wetlands (Louisiana, USA) at removing nitrate from Mississippi River water. 2) Quantifying the effects of fire on nitrogen and phosphorus mobilization in a wastewater treatment wetland. 3) Testing what types of nutrients are contributing to the proliferation of nuisance algae in freshwater springs. Relevant Publications: Gardner, L.M. and J.R. White (2010) Denitrification Enzyme Activity as an Indicator of Nitrate Movement through a Diversion Wetland. Soil Sci. Society of Am. J. 74:1037-1047. White, J.R., Gardner, L.M., Sees, M., and R. Corstanje (2008) The short-term effects of prescribed burning on biomass removal and the release of nitrogen and phosphorus in a treatment wetland. Journal of Environmental Quality 37:2386-2391. |
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