MORAIS NETO, Luiz Barreto de. Avaliação temporal do acúmulo de fitomassa e trocas gasosas do capim-canarana em função da salinidade da água de irrigação. 2009. 58 f. : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Zootecnia, Fortaleza-CE, 2009 / Submitted by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-04T13:07:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_lbmoraisneto.pdf: 703748 bytes, checksum: 8d09fadb2c87430e9b87f81738fcd1e1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-04T13:07:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_lbmoraisneto.pdf: 703748 bytes, checksum: 8d09fadb2c87430e9b87f81738fcd1e1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-04T13:07:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009_dis_lbmoraisneto.pdf: 703748 bytes, checksum: 8d09fadb2c87430e9b87f81738fcd1e1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of saline irrigation water and different cut times on the components of biomass, gas exchange, growth and yield of canarana grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis). The seedlings were planted in plastic pots with a volume of 8 L containing soil type QUARTZARENIC NEOSOL sandy texture, under conditions of a greenhouse. For the experiment in which we evaluated the components of biomass, the experimental design was completely casualized sub divided plots, the salinity levels (0.75, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 dS m-1) in the main plots and harvest age (21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days) in the plot, with five replicates and the experiment was evaluated gas exchange, growth and production, randomized design, in a 5 x 5, consists of cutting ages (21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days) and five doses saline water (0.75, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 dS/m) with five replications. After the cut for uniformity, 56 days after the planting began the treatments. Upon reaching the age cutoff determined, the plants were cut and then the material collected was fractionated into leaves, stems and dead material. It was determined the mass of dry total forrage, dry matter of forage dead, dry mass of live forrage, dry matter of green blade, dry mass of green stem, material relationship alive matter/dead material and leaf/stem. Salinity affected the photosynthetic rates and transpiration rates, but did not affect stomatal conductance. There was tolerance to salt stress in each section. There was no interaction between the factors studied. Salinity reduced the dry mass of total herbage, dry forrage of green, dry blade green and dry mass of stem green. There was no effect of salinity on dry mass of dead forrage, live material for dead plant material and leaf/stem. The salinity changed the partition of dry matter, reducing the percentage of stems and increasing the proportion of leaves in the dry mass of total forrage. The increase of the cut caused increases in dry mass of total forrage, dead forrage, live forrage, green stems and green leaves. From the cutting age of 28 days of dry forrage dead had increased quite markedly. The increase in dry weight of stems was accentuated after 35 days. The extension of the cut caused a decline in relations material living dead plant material and leaf/stem. Salinity affected the photosynthetic rates and transpiration, but did not affect stomatal conductance. Climatic variations in the different days on which the measurements were made of gas exchange, caused differences in photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Climatic variations in the different days on which the measurements were made of gas exchange, caused differences in photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Salinity did not cause variations in specific leaf area, leaf weight and leaf area ratio, but these three variables decreased with increasing age. The tolerance to salt stress decreased with advancing age. This species was moderately tolerant to higher salinity level and longer exposure to stress. The canarana grass can be irrigated with water electrical conductivity of up to 2.0 dS/m. Cutting canarana grass should be done at 21 days / O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da salinidade da água de irrigação e de diferentes idades de corte sobre os componentes de biomassa, trocas gasosas, crescimento e produção de do capim-canarana (Echinochloa pyramidalis). As mudas foram plantadas em vasos plásticos com volume de 8 L contendo solo do tipo NEOSSOLO QUARTIZARÊNICO textura arenosa, sob condições de casa de vegetação. Para o experimento em que se avaliou os componentes de biomassa, o delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado em parcelas subdividida, sendo os níveis de salinidade (0,75; 2,0; 4,0; 6,0 e 8,0 dS m-1) na parcela principal e idade de corte (21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias) na subparcela, com cinco repetições e para o experimento que se avaliou as trocas gasosas, crescimento e produção, o delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, composto por cinco idades de corte (21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias) e cinco doses crescentes de água salina (0,75, 2,0 , 4,0, 6,0 e 8,0 dS/m), com cinco repetições. Após o corte de uniformização, 56 dias posterior ao plantio, iniciou-se a aplicação dos tratamentos. Ao atingir a idade de corte determinada, as plantas foram cortadas e em seguida o material coletado foi fracionado em folhas, colmos e material morto. Determinou-se a massa seca de forragem total, massa seca de forragem morta, massa seca de forragem viva, massa seca de lâmina verde, massa seca de colmo verde, relação material vivo/material morto e relação folha/colmo. Foram realizadas quatro medições da taxa fotossintética líquida, taxa de transpiração e condutância estomática. Para cada idade foi determinada a área foliar específica, razão de peso foliar e razão de área foliar. Verificou-se a tolerância ao estresse salino em cada corte. Não houve interação entre os fatores estudados. A salinidade reduziu a massa seca de forragem total, massa seca de farragem verde, massa seca de lâmina verde e a massa seca de colmo verde. Não se verificou efeito da salinidade sobre a massa seca de forragem morta, relação material vivo/material morto e relação folha/colmo. A salinidade alterou a partição de matéria seca, diminuindo a percentagem de colmos e aumentando a percentagem de folhas na massa seca de forragem total. O aumento da idade de corte ocasionou aumentos na massa seca de forragem total, forragem morta, forragem viva, colmos verdes e folhas verdes. A partir da idade de corte de 28 dias a massa seca de forragem morta teve incremento bastante acentuado. O aumento na massa seca de colmos acentuou-se a partir dos 35 dias. O prolongamento da idade de corte provocou um declínio nas relações material vivo/material morto e folha/colmo. A salinidade afetou as taxas fotossintética e de transpiração, mas não afetou a condutância estomática. As variações climáticas ocorridas nos diferentes dias em que foram feitas as medições de trocas gasosas, provocaram diferenças na taxa fotossintética, taxa de transpiração e condutância estomática. A salinidade não causou variações na área foliar específica, razão de peso foliar e razão de área foliar, no entanto estas três variáveis decresceram com o aumento da idade. A tolerância ao estresse salino diminuiu com o avanço da idade. Esta espécie mostrou-se moderadamente tolerante ao maior nível de salinidade e no maior tempo de exposição ao estresse. O capim canarana pode ser irrigado com água de condutividade elétrica de até 2,0 dS/m. O corte do capim canarana deve ser feito aos 21 dias

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da salinidade da Ãgua de irrigaÃÃo e de diferentes idades de corte sobre os componentes de biomassa, trocas gasosas, crescimento e produÃÃo de do capim-canarana (Echinochloa pyramidalis). As mudas foram plantadas em vasos plÃsticos com volume de 8 L contendo solo do tipo NEOSSOLO QUARTIZARÃNICO textura arenosa, sob condiÃÃes de casa de vegetaÃÃo. Para o experimento em que se avaliou os componentes de biomassa, o delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado em parcelas subdividida, sendo os nÃveis de salinidade (0,75; 2,0; 4,0; 6,0 e 8,0 dS m-1) na parcela principal e idade de corte (21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias) na subparcela, com cinco repetiÃÃes e para o experimento que se avaliou as trocas gasosas, crescimento e produÃÃo, o delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, composto por cinco idades de corte (21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias) e cinco doses crescentes de Ãgua salina (0,75, 2,0 , 4,0, 6,0 e 8,0 dS/m), com cinco repetiÃÃes. ApÃs o corte de uniformizaÃÃo, 56 dias posterior ao plantio, iniciou-se a aplicaÃÃo dos tratamentos. Ao atingir a idade de corte determinada, as plantas foram cortadas e em seguida o material coletado foi fracionado em folhas, colmos e material morto. Determinou-se a massa seca de forragem total, massa seca de forragem morta, massa seca de forragem viva, massa seca de lÃmina verde, massa seca de colmo verde, relaÃÃo material vivo/material morto e relaÃÃo folha/colmo. Foram realizadas quatro mediÃÃes da taxa fotossintÃtica lÃquida, taxa de transpiraÃÃo e condutÃncia estomÃtica. Para cada idade foi determinada a Ãrea foliar especÃfica, razÃo de peso foliar e razÃo de Ãrea foliar. Verificou-se a tolerÃncia ao estresse salino em cada corte. NÃo houve interaÃÃo entre os fatores estudados. A salinidade reduziu a massa seca de forragem total, massa seca de farragem verde, massa seca de lÃmina verde e a massa seca de colmo verde. NÃo se verificou efeito da salinidade sobre a massa seca de forragem morta, relaÃÃo material vivo/material morto e relaÃÃo folha/colmo. A salinidade alterou a partiÃÃo de matÃria seca, diminuindo a percentagem de colmos e aumentando a percentagem de folhas na massa seca de forragem total. O aumento da idade de corte ocasionou aumentos na massa seca de forragem total, forragem morta, forragem viva, colmos verdes e folhas verdes. A partir da idade de corte de 28 dias a massa seca de forragem morta teve incremento bastante acentuado. O aumento na massa seca de colmos acentuou-se a partir dos 35 dias. O prolongamento da idade de corte provocou um declÃnio nas relaÃÃes material vivo/material morto e folha/colmo. A salinidade afetou as taxas fotossintÃtica e de transpiraÃÃo, mas nÃo afetou a condutÃncia estomÃtica. As variaÃÃes climÃticas ocorridas nos diferentes dias em que foram feitas as mediÃÃes de trocas gasosas, provocaram diferenÃas na taxa fotossintÃtica, taxa de transpiraÃÃo e condutÃncia estomÃtica. A salinidade nÃo causou variaÃÃes na Ãrea foliar especÃfica, razÃo de peso foliar e razÃo de Ãrea foliar, no entanto estas trÃs variÃveis decresceram com o aumento da idade. A tolerÃncia ao estresse salino diminuiu com o avanÃo da idade. Esta espÃcie mostrou-se moderadamente tolerante ao maior nÃvel de salinidade e no maior tempo de exposiÃÃo ao estresse. O capim canarana pode ser irrigado com Ãgua de condutividade elÃtrica de atà 2,0 dS/m. O corte do capim canarana deve ser feito aos 21 dias / This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of saline irrigation water and different cut times on the components of biomass, gas exchange, growth and yield of canarana grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis). The seedlings were planted in plastic pots with a volume of 8 L containing soil type QUARTZARENIC NEOSOL sandy texture, under conditions of a greenhouse. For the experiment in which we evaluated the components of biomass, the experimental design was completely casualized sub divided plots, the salinity levels (0.75, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 dS m-1) in the main plots and harvest age (21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days) in the plot, with five replicates and the experiment was evaluated gas exchange, growth and production, randomized design, in a 5 x 5, consists of cutting ages (21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days) and five doses saline water (0.75, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 dS/m) with five replications. After the cut for uniformity, 56 days after the planting began the treatments. Upon reaching the age cutoff determined, the plants were cut and then the material collected was fractionated into leaves, stems and dead material. It was determined the mass of dry total forrage, dry matter of forage dead, dry mass of live forrage, dry matter of green blade, dry mass of green stem, material relationship alive matter/dead material and leaf/stem. Salinity affected the photosynthetic rates and transpiration rates, but did not affect stomatal conductance. There was tolerance to salt stress in each section. There was no interaction between the factors studied. Salinity reduced the dry mass of total herbage, dry forrage of green, dry blade green and dry mass of stem green. There was no effect of salinity on dry mass of dead forrage, live material for dead plant material and leaf/stem. The salinity changed the partition of dry matter, reducing the percentage of stems and increasing the proportion of leaves in the dry mass of total forrage. The increase of the cut caused increases in dry mass of total forrage, dead forrage, live forrage, green stems and green leaves. From the cutting age of 28 days of dry forrage dead had increased quite markedly. The increase in dry weight of stems was accentuated after 35 days. The extension of the cut caused a decline in relations material living dead plant material and leaf/stem. Salinity affected the photosynthetic rates and transpiration, but did not affect stomatal conductance. Climatic variations in the different days on which the measurements were made of gas exchange, caused differences in photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Climatic variations in the different days on which the measurements were made of gas exchange, caused differences in photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance. Salinity did not cause variations in specific leaf area, leaf weight and leaf area ratio, but these three variables decreased with increasing age. The tolerance to salt stress decreased with advancing age. This species was moderately tolerant to higher salinity level and longer exposure to stress. The canarana grass can be irrigated with water electrical conductivity of up to 2.0 dS/m. Cutting canarana grass should be done at 21 days

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / To evaluate the responses of canarana grass erecta lisa (Echinochloa pyramidalis Lam.) grazed by dairy heifers, this study was conduct. Was used a factorial arrangement 2.0 x 2.0 (two frequencies and two defoliation intensity) in completely plots randomized design with five replicates (paddocks). The defoliation frequencies corresponded to interception from 85 and 95% of active photosynthetic radiation and the defoliation intensity corresponded the residual leaf area index 1.0 and 2.0. Were evaluated the growth in regrowth by morphogenesis method, the gas exchange and biomass flow. Were analyzed the growth characteristic: crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilate rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf weight ratio (LWR), also were evaluates: total dry mass forage (TDMF), fresh dry mass forage (FDMF), fresh dry mass leaf (FDML), fresh dry mass stem (FDMS), leaf/stem ratio (L/S). The exchange gas trial were made following measurements: transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), photosynthesis (A), internal CO2/reference CO2 ratio (Ci/CR), efficient use of water (EUW), intrinsic use of water (IUW) and relative index of the chlorophyll (RIC). The variable belonging to biomass flow were: leaf elongation rate (LER), and stem (SER), the elongation rate of the leaf 1/ elongation rate of the leaf 2 (ERL1/ERL2), leaf previous senescence rate (LPVSR), leaf posterior senescence rate (LPOSR) and leaf total senescence rate (LTSR), leafs live number (LLN) and total leafs number (TLN), life leaf time (LLT), leaf appearance rate (LAR) and crop accumulation rate (CAR). The TDMF, FDMF, FDMS and FDML presented increasing values based on age, The L/S ratio showed x. Were obtained increasing values to CGR, and decreasing values RGR, NAR. The values of SFA were increased to 20 days, after showed decreasing values. On the exchange gas trial, there wasnât difference between management strategies (P>0.05), however on post-grazing the variables EUW and IUW showed lower average (P<0.05), to 85% IAPR. About to cycles of the grazing the evaluates of pre-grazing, the E was lower to 95% IAPR management x intensity 2.0 (P<0.05) The EUW showed lower values to 95% IAPR x intensity 1and higher to 95% x intensity 2 (P<0.05). Evaluates made on post-grazing there was difference to the content of the chlorophyll that showed lower average to intensity 1.0 (P<0.05). On the biomass flow trial, the PVSR, LLN and ALR presented lower values to the less defoliation frequencies (P<0.05), the LPOSR showed lower values to defoliation frequencies. The physiologic characteristic were changed by differences defoliation frequencies and intensity. The growth index of canopy RGR, NAR were committed with the age, but the same not occur to the CGR. The canarana grass should be handled frequently defoliation of 95% interception of photosynthetically active radiation associated whit a residual leaf index 2.0. / Objetivou-se avaliar as respostas do capim-canarana erecta lisa (Echinochloa pyramidalis Lam.) ao pastejo por novilhas leiteiras num arranjo fatorial 2,0 x 2,0 (duas frequÃncias e duas intensidades de desfolhaÃÃo) num delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com cinco repetiÃÃes (piquetes). As frequÃncias de desfolhaÃÃo corresponderam à intercepÃÃo de 85 e 95% da radiaÃÃo fotossinteticamente ativa e as intensidades de desfolhaÃÃo corresponderam aos Ãndices de Ãrea foliar residual de 1,0 e 2,0. Foram avaliados: o crescimento em rebrotaÃÃo pelo mÃtodo da morfogÃnese, as trocas gasosas e o fluxo de biomassa. Das caracterÃsticas de crescimento foram analisadas: a taxa de crescimento da cultura (TCC), a taxa de crescimento relativo (TCR), a taxa de assimilaÃÃo lÃquida (TAL), a razÃo de Ãrea foliar (RAF), a Ãrea foliar especÃfica (AFE) e a razÃo de peso foliar (RPF). TambÃm foram avaliadas: a massa seca de forragem total (MSFT), a massa seca de forragem verde (MSFV), a massa seca de lÃminas foliares verdes (MSLV), a massa seca de colmos verdes (MSCV), a relaÃÃo folha/colmo (F/C). Para o ensaio de trocas gasosas, foram feitas mediÃÃes das seguintes variÃveis: transpiraÃÃo (E), condutÃncia estomÃtica (gs), fotossÃntese (A), relaÃÃo CO2 interno/CO2 de referÃncia (Ci/CR), uso eficiente da Ãgua (UEA), uso intrÃnseco da Ãgua (UIA) e Ãndice relativo de clorofila (IRC). As caracterÃsticas do fluxo de biomassa incluÃram: as taxas de alongamento foliar (TAlF) e das hastes (TAlH), a razÃo entre a taxa de alongamento da folha 1 e da folha 2 (TAlF1/TAlF2), a taxa de senescÃncia foliar anterior (TSFA), a taxa de senescÃncia posterior (TSFP) e a taxa de senescÃncia foliar total (TSFT), o nÃmero de folhas vivas (NFV), o nÃmero de folhas totais (NFT); o tempo de vida da folha (TVF); a taxa de aparecimento da folha (TApF) e a taxa de acÃmulo da cultura (TAC). A MSFT, MSFV, MSCV e MSLV apresentaram valores crescentes em funÃÃo da idade, a relaÃÃo F/C apresentou valores decrescentes. Obtiveram-se valores crescentes para TCC, para TCR, TAL os valores foram decrescentes. Os valores de AFE foram crescentes atà aos 20 dias, seguido de valores decrescentes. No ensaio de trocas gasosas, prÃ-pastejo, nÃo houve diferenÃa para as estratÃgias de manejo (P>0,05). Entretanto, no pÃs-pastejo as variÃveis UEA, A e UIA apresentaram mÃdias menores (P<0,05), para 85% IRFA. Com relaÃÃo aos ciclos de pastejo para leituras de prÃ, a E foi menor para o manejo 95% IRFA x intensidade 2 (P<0,05). A UEA apresentou valores inferiores em 95% IRFA x intensidade 1 e superiores para 95% IRFA x intensidade 2 (P<0,05). Para leitura no pÃs-pastejo, houve diferenÃa para o conteÃdo de clorofila, que apresentou valores inferiores para intensidade 1,0 (P<0,05). No ensaio de fluxo de biomassa A TSFA, NFV e TApF apresentaram valores menores para as menores frequÃncias de desfolhaÃÃo (P<0,05), a TSFP apresentou menores valores para maiores frequÃncias de desfolhaÃÃo. As caracterÃsticas fisiolÃgicas foram alteradas pelas diferentes frequÃncias e intensidade de desfolhaÃÃo. Os Ãndices de crescimento do dossel TCR, TAL foram comprometidos com o aumento da idade, mas o mesmo nÃo ocorreu para o e TCC. O capim-canarana deve ser manejado com frequÃncia de desfolhaÃÃo de 95% de interceptaÃÃo da radiaÃÃo fotossinteticamente ativa associada a um Ãndice de Ãrea foliar residual de 2,0.

Degradation of water resources has become one of the most pressing global concerns currently facing mankind. Constructed Wetlands (CWs) represent a concept to combat deterioration of water resources by acting as buffers between wastewater and receiving water bodies. Still, constructing wetlands for the sole purpose of wastewater treatment is a challenging task. To contribute to this research area, the fundamental question raised in this doctorate thesis was: how do factors such as vegetation and residing water movements (hydraulics) influence wastewater treatment in CWs? Also, effects of different data analysis methods for results of CW hydraulics and wastewater treatment were investigated. Research was focused on  phosphorus (P), ammonium-nitrogen (NH4+-N) and solids (TSS) in wastewater and o n P in macrophyte biomass. Studies were performed in pilot-scale free water surface (FWS) CW systems in Kenya (Chemelil) and Sweden (Halmstad) and as computer simulations. Results from the Chemelil CWs demonstrated that meeting effluent concentration standards simultaneously for all water quality parameters in one CW was difficult. Vegetation harvest, and thus nutrient uptake by young growing macrophytes, was important for maintaining low effluents of NH4+-N and P, especially during dry seasons. On the other hand, mature and dense vegetation growing for at least 4 months secured meeting TSS standards. Phosphorus in above-ground green biomass accounted for almost 1/3 of the total P mass removal, demonstrating high potential for P removal through macrophyte harvest in CWs. Also, results suggested that harvest should be species-specific to achieve high P removal by macrophytes and overall acceptable wastewater treatment in CWs. Still, different methods to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) from the Chemelil CWs showed that water balance calculations greatly impacted estimations of wastewater treatment results. Hydraulic tracer studies performed in the Chemelil and Halmstad CWs showed that mature and dense emergent vegetation in CWs could reduce effective treatment volumes (e-values), which emphasized the importance of regulating this type of vegetation. Also, it was shown that hydraulic tracer studies with lithium chloride performed in CWs with dense emergent vegetation had problems with low tracer recoveries. This problem could be reduced by promoting the distribution of incoming tracer solution into the CW using a barrier near the CW inlet pipe. Computer simulation results showed that the choice of tracer data analysis method greatly influenced quantifications of CW hydraulics and pollutant removal. The e-value could be 50% higher and the pollutant removal 13% higher depending upon used method. Moreover, unrealistic evalues (above 100%) in published literature could to some extent be explained by tracer data analysis method. Hence, to obtain more reliable hydraulic data and wastewater treatment results from CWs, more attention should be paid to the choice of tracer data analysis method. / Konstruerade våtmarker representerar ett koncept för möjligheten att nå en hållbar vattenresurshantering genom att agera som ”filter” mellan föroreningskälla och viktiga vattenresurser såsom sjöar och hav. Mycket kunskap saknas däremot om hur man konstruerar våtmarker med en optimal och pålitlig vattenreningskapacitet. Den här avhandlingen undersöker därför hur vegetation och vattnets väg genom våtmarken (hydrauliken) påverkar avloppsvattenrening i våtmarker. Dessutom undersöktes hur valet av dataanalysmetod av insamlad data påverkar resultaten. Studier genomfördes i Kenya och Sverige i experimentvåtmarker (ca. 40-60 m2) och inkluderadedatainsamling av vattenkvalité, hydraulik (spårämnesexperiment) samt biomassa och fosfor i biomassan av två olika våtmarksväxter. Dessutom genomfördes datorsimuleringar. Resultaten från Kenya visade att växtskörd och efterföljande näringsupptag av nyskördade växter var viktig för att uppnå låga utgående koncentrationer av fosfor och ammonium i en tropisk våtmark, speciellt under torrsäsongen. Däremot var en välutvecklad och tät vegetation viktig för reningen av partiklar. Fosfor i grön växtbiomassa representerade cirka 1/3 av våtmarkernas totala fosforrening, vilket påvisade potentialen i att genom skörd ta bort fosfor från avloppsvatten m.h.a. konstruerade våtmarker. Resultaten pekade också på att skörden bör vara art-specifik för att uppnå en hög fosforrening och generellt bra vattenreningsresultat. Dock visade olika beräkningsmetoder att vattenbalansen i en tropisk våtmark markant kan påverka vattenreningsresultaten. Resultaten från spårämnesexperimenten demonstrerade att den effektiva våtmarksvolymen för vattenrening blev mindre vid hög täthet av övervattensväxter. Detta pekade på att regelbunden växtskörd var viktig för att uppnå god vattenrening i våtmarker. Experiment med spårämnet litium visade att man kan få felaktiga resultat p.g.a. att en del spårämne fasthålls på botten i våtmarken om denna har mycket övervattensväxter. Därför bör spridningen av spårämnet i sådana våtmarker underlättas m.h.a. en spridningsbarriär nära inloppsröret. Simuleringar visade också att valet av dataanalysmetod av spårämnesdata starkt kan påverka resultaten och därmed också vår tolkning av en våtmarks hydraulik och reningskapacitet. Den effektiva volymen kunde vara 50% högre och reningseffekten 13% högre beroende på vilken metod som användes. Likaså kan valet av dataanalysmetod ha bidragit till överskattade och orealistiska effektiva volymer (över 100%) i artiklar publicerade de senaste 25 åren. Genom att fokusera mer på valet av dataanalysmetod och t.ex. jämföra resultaten från två olika metoder kan man minimera risken för bristfälliga resultat och därmed felaktiga slutsatser om en våtmarks vattenreningskapacitet.