Engineering Commons^™

Investigating The Removal Of Stormwater Pollutants In Small-Scale, Constructed Treatment Wetlands, Katlyn Edwards

Rose-Hulman Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Eutrophication of US surface waters is a growing problem due to nitrogen and phosphorus runoff in stormwater. In natural ecosystems, wetlands can absorb and remove a variety of water pollutants, including nutrients. Wetlands also provide flood control and wildlife habitat. Mimicking natural systems, constructed treatment wetlands can remove stormwater pollutants, are economic to build and maintain, provide a bionetwork for a wide range of plants and animals, and can be used for educational purposes.

While constructed treatment wetlands can remove stormwater pollutants such as total suspended solids, organic carbon, and nitrates, a significant reduction in phosphate concentrations has not been …