The integrity of wetland ecosystems is largely determined by hydrological functionality, degree of connectivity to like ecosystems, and permeability to external influence. Land use changes in upland areas adjacent to wetland ecosystems may influence hydrology and connectivity while introducing novel biotic and abiotic materials. There is an increasing trend toward the use of remote assessment techniques to determine the degree of impact of external influences on adjacent wetlands. Remote assessment and predictive capabilities are provided by indices such as the Landscape Development Intensity Index (LDI) (Brown and Vivas 2005) which may be beneficial in determining site condition, and which have the added benefit of providing a quantitative gradient of human impact. This study assessed the predictive ability of the LDI in cypress ecosystems, by testing its correlations with plant community metrics including an index of floral quality calculated using coefficients of conservatism (CC)(Cohen et al. 2004), plant species diversity, and fluctuation in community composition assessed by changes in the wetland status and native status of component plant species. LDI was also compared against an independent measure of disturbance which was used to construct an a priori disturbance gradient. Overall, diversity measures showed little correlation with any of the disturbance indices, while CC scores were significantly correlated. Models were constructed in an attempt to explain each of the variables of plant community response to development in the surrounding landscape. The length of time since the development of the land adjacent to the cypress domes was a predictor of plant community response only when included in models with other variables. LDI was the strongest predictor in all models except where increases in land use associated with hydrological changes helped predict or better predicted proportions of exotic and upland species.

Nutrient leakage into streams and rivers can lead to eutrophication, which negatively impact aquatic ecosystems. A commonly used tool to mitigate nutrient leakage is the implementation of wetlands into the polluted system. This study focuses on the levels of N and P in the river Fyris.n in Uppsala, Sweden, and the possible effects from restoration of a wetland near the river’s outlet. The results show a potential reduction of 41% and 45% for N and P respectively. The results point to a need for more wetlands further up in the catchment system to mitigate the nutrient load in the subcatchments, as the high nutrient levels there would not be affected by the proposed wetland. There are also several uncertainties due to the lack of reference material, and the results proves the need for further studies on this subject.

ABSTRACT Water and Air Quality Performance of a Reciprocating Biofilter Treating Dairy Wastewater Seppi Matthew Henneman Agricultural non-point source pollution is the leading water quality problem in surface water and the second leading problem in ground water in the US. Among the contaminants, nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) can be transported from agricultural fields when cropland is not managed properly. In California, dairy manure application to cropland has become tightly regulated with the goal of decreasing such nutrient pollution. Dairies unable to balance their manure nutrient supply with cropland application area may benefit from a nitrogen removal technology. One such technology is the reciprocating biofilter, known as the ReCip® technology. A pilot-scale ReCip® unit was installed at the Cal Poly dairy to evaluate its treatment efficacy, in particular for nitrogen removal, when treating wastewater from flush dairies. This pilot-scale system was the first application of the ReCip® technology to dairy wastewater, and recently it was found to be effective for removal of ammonium, total nitrogen, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). In the ReCip®, wastewater is repeatedly pumped back and forth between two gravel-filled basins. This reciprocation creates two treatment environments: an aerobic environment, which promotes reactions such as nitrification and BOD oxidation, and an anoxic/anaerobic environment, which promotes reactions such as denitrification of nitrate into nitrogen gas and methanogenesis. At Cal Poly, the ReCip® treated storage lagoon water, and ReCip® effluent containing nitrate was returned to the lagoon, possibly contributing to odor control. Emission of air pollutants is a concern about dairy waste in general (volatile organic compounds, hydrogen sulfide, methane, etc.) and for nitrification-denitrification systems in particular (nitrous oxide). In the present work, the first detailed air emission study was conducted on ReCip®. Emissions of air pollutants were measured with flux chambers during different seasons, and, simultaneously, the water quality within the pore volume of the gravel beds was measured to explore whether pore water quality correlated to air emissions. These air emissions studies were performed within a yearlong study of overall ReCip® treatment performance. Water quality constituents measured were pH, alkalinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), soluble nitrogen, soluble non-purgeable organic carbon, nitrite, and nitrate. During the submerged phase of the reciprocation cycle, pore water DO generally declined from 1-2 mg/L to <0.1 mg/L, while TAN declined and nitrate accumulated, although total nitrogen also declined due to denitrification. The extent of denitrification was correlated to influent BOD loading. The average removals by the ReCip® were 93% TAN, 61% CBOD5, 74% TKN, and 57% TSS. A simple CBOD5 removal model was developed that described and predicted CBOD5 ­removal in the system. Key air pollutants emitted by the ReCip® and their annual mean concentrations were nitrous oxide (0.74 ppm), ammonia (0.15 ppm), and methane (3.85 ppm). The air emission potential of the lagoon water influent was compared to that of the ReCip® effluent. The decreases in emission potential were 82% for ammonia, 93% for methane, and 99% for hydrogen sulfide. The average masses emitted (g emitted/kg loaded into system) by the ReCip® were 1.7 g N2O/kg N, 0.15 g NH3/kg N, 2.1 g CH4/kg CBOD5, 1.0 g ethanol/kg CBOD5,and 0.004 g H2S/kg CBOD5.

Developing low-cost and effective technologies to upgrade phosphorus (P) removal from the catchment runoffs and rural wastewater treatment facilities is one of the main research agendas to save the Baltic Sea from eutrophication. In Sweden, the construction of the constructed wetlands has been one of the environmental objectives for wastewater quality improvement in the small communities. However, the insufficiently understanding of the mechanisms underlying the process of phosphorus mobility and sorption in the constructed wetlands has limited design of the effective constructed wetlands. To provide the better understanding of sorption process in the catchment and constructed wetland system, this thesis used the GIS-based Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to predict phosphorus mobility and identify the critical diffusing sources of phosphorus loss in the Oxunda catchment (Paper I). Then, the study developed the three-dimensional numerical Reactive TRAnsPort Model (RETRAP - 3D) in the COMSOL Multiphysics® for evaluating the long - term sorption processes and removal efficiencies of the porous reactive media for upgrading the performance of constructed wetlands (Paper II and III). The latter model coupled many physics equations to solve process of water flow, reaction kinetics and solute transport in the porous reactive adsorbent media for application in the constructed wetlands. The data from the field measurements and column experiments have been used to demonstrate the model simulation accuracy to capture the process of phosphorus sorption in the real environment. Modeling results ranked the phosphorus removal efficiency of the adsorbent media as follows: Polonite® (88 %), Filtralite P® (85%), BFS (62%), Wollastonite (57 %). The satisfactory agreement which obtained between the simulated outputs and measured data confirmed that the SWAT and RETRAP-3D are useful tools for describing various processes in the complicated system. However, further study is required to generate and validate more experimental data to evaluate the sensitivity of local parameters. / <p>This reserch project was finacially supported by Lars Erik Lundberg scholarship foundation for projectnumber (2015/34 and 2016/12), ÅkeochGreta Lissheds Stiftelsen for project number (2015-00026), J.Gust. Richert Stiftelsen and Ecopool researchproject for smart and sustainable environment. QC 20170523</p>

<p> Through the use of unit hydrographs this paper demonstrates the effect of land uses on the stream discharge of three watersheds located in Southern Ontario. The watersheds represent urban, agricultural and wetland environments. The three different environments each demonstrate different responses to a unit magnitude of uniformly distributed precipitation. </p> <p> The rainfall events occurred during September and October 1981 and 1986. Three durations of events, six, twelve and twenty-four hours, are studied. </p> <p> The paper demonstrates that an urban watershed experiences a greater magnitude of peak discharge and faster response time than either of the other two studied watersheds. The unit hydrograph resulting from a wetland showed that the wetland watershed was an important regulator of streamflow. </p> <p> Special emphasis were placed on the urbanization of agricultural lands as this is the most applicable land use change currently occurring in Southern Ontario.The results from this study will be useful when assessing the magnitude of the potential runoff problem when these agricultural watersheds are urbanized. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Concern over recent declines in many wetland-dependent bird species has led to a need to monitor marsh bird populations in response to anthropogenic activities. I conducted point counts and vegetation surveys at 26 coastal wetlands in the Laurentian Great Lakes Region of Canada from 2006-2008 to determine 1) effective methods to monitor marsh birds, and 2) the impacts of land use surrounding coastal wetlands on marsh bird communities. The first part of this dissertation showed that call-broadcasts are effective tools for monitoring marsh birds and that point counts for marsh birds should be conducted from both the shoreline and from the interior of large marshes. Because of the species-area relationship for wetland birds in southern Ontario, sampling effort should increase proportionally with wetland area to attempt the detection of all species present. In the second part of this thesis, I showed that marsh obligate-nesters preferred wetlands in rural areas as opposed to urban areas, while generalist marsh-nesting species showed no apparent difference in use. The Index of Marsh Bird Community Integrity (IMBCI), a biological index used to indicate wetland health, was significantly higher in rural than in urban marshes. Marsh isolation was also an important factor in predicting the marsh bird community, with more isolated wetlands containing fewer obligate species and associated with a lower IMBCI value. Wetlands of Georgian Bay were found to have quite different bird and plant communities than wetlands of Lake Ontario. Even though wetlands of Lake Ontario were considerably more degraded than those in Georgian Bay (according to land use alteration and degree of water quality impairment), these two regions produced similar IMBCI scores, and this draws into question the applicability of some indicators on a basin-wide scale. The results of this thesis indicate how survey protocols in existing wetland bird monitoring programs should be modified and support current literature that urbanization negatively affects the marsh bird community. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In situ measurements of soil nitrogen dynamics is a potential method for evaluating the health of constructed wetlands following oil sands mining. The objective of this study is to measure and compare the soil nitrogen availability of a reclaimed fen (Sandhill fen) with a nutrient-rich reference fen (Poplar fen) and a nutrient-poor reference fen (Pauciflora fen) in the Athabasca oil sands region of northern Alberta. Total Nitrogen (TN), Nitrate (NO3-) and Ammonium (NH4+) supply rates were determined along wetland hillslope transects using Western Ag Innovations Plant Root Simulator (PRSTM) probes at all three sites in 2014. Net N mineralization, net nitrification and net ammonification were determined simultaneously using the buried polyethylene bag sampling method. Overall, TN supply rates were greatest at the poor fen and least at the constructed Sandhill fen. In contrast, mineralization was greatest at the rich fen but again least at the Sandhill fen. Mineralization at the Sandhill fen was controlled evenly by ammonification and nitrification, whereas the two natural sites were controlled by ammonification. Relatively low N supply rates and mineralization at the Sandhill fen were likely due to lower soil organic matter and limited soil moisture in these newly constructed substrates. Spatial differences along the hillslopes also varied among sites. The Sandhill fen had higher TN supply rates at the upslope positions but no significant differences in net N mineralization rates along the hillslopes. The rich fen also had higher TN supply rates at the upslope but greatest mineralization rates downslope. These results highlight the importance of N storage and transport processes and offer insight into the N status of a constructed fen. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Oil sands mining in Alberta completely transforms the natural boreal landscape of upland forests, wetlands and lakes into open pits, tailings and overburden piles. By law, industry is required to return the landscape to its pre-disturbance land capability. While previous reclamation efforts have mainly focused on upland forest ecosystems, rebuilding wetland systems on soft tailings has only recently become a research focus. The dry, sub-humid climate and high salinity levels of underlying mining material complicate reconstruction of wetlands within this region. In 2012, Syncrude Canada Ltd. completed construction of the Sandhill Fen Watershed (SFW), a 52-ha upland-wetland system to evaluate wetland reclamation strategies. SFW includes an active pumping system, upland hummocks, a fen wetland and underdrains. This study examined the watershed-scale water balance in the first two years after commissioning (2013 and 2014). The first paper presents a semi-distributed water balance approach examining the fluxes and stores of different landscape units. Artificial pumping controlled the water balance in 2013, with approximately double the annual precipitation pumped in and out from May-Oct 2013, causing large water table fluctuations. In 2014, pump management was more passive, and water balance controlled by vertical fluxes. In the second paper, growing season ET rates and controls were assessed using data from three eddy covariance towers in the uplands and lowlands. Average ET rates between uplands and lowlands were similar, with average rates of 2.41 – 2.52 mm d-1. ET was radiatively controlled at all sites. Energy partitioning and ET rates are similar to natural boreal peatlands within the area, however upland areas are expected to increase in ET rates as LAI increases and vegetation matures. This study provides critical quantitative data on the early years of a highly managed watershed. Long-term monitoring is necessary, as water balance dynamics will evolve with vegetation development and climate cycles. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Though the water in eastern Georgian Bay is oligotrophic, some of the coastal embayments and wetlands have begun to show signs of water quality impairment that is thought to be related to human development along the shoreline. The primary objective of my thesis is to provide environmental agencies with the resources to effectively manage water quality in the coastal zone of eastern Georgian Bay. First, I evaluate the ability of the Lakeshore Capacity Model (LCM), developed for inland Precambrian Shield lakes, to predict the trophic status of coastal embayments. Finding that the LCM does not accurately predict trophic status, I develop the Anthro-geomorphic Model (AGM), which uses the level of human development and the degree of mixing between the embayment and open waters of Georgian Bay to predict embayment trophic status. Second, I explore the spatial association between densities of building, dock and road development and Water Quality Index (WQI) scores, an index designed to evaluate wetland condition, for wetlands in the Township of Georgian Bay. I found an inverse relationship between WQI scores and the density of these stressor variables inside wetland catchments, which indicates that these stressors have a negative impact on wetland water quality. I then created a series of mapping products that present building, dock and road densities, along with WQI scores for 61 wetlands in the Township of Georgian Bay, to determine how wetland water quality is spatially associated with densities of these stressor variables. I found that regions with high densities of building, dock and road development were associated with wetlands of lower quality, whereas wetlands in areas that had low densities of development were of higher quality. I used this information to identify areas of conservation priority for management in the Township of Georgian Bay. The results from this thesis will provide environmental managers with resources to protect the valuable coastal waters of eastern Georgian Bay. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / A number of coastal embayments and wetlands of eastern Georgian Bay show signs of water quality impairment thought to be caused by cottage development. The objective of my thesis is to develop and evaluate models designed to measure the impact of human development on water quality in these coastal zones. First, finding that the Ontario Lakeshore Capacity Model, developed for Muskoka lakes, does not accurately predict trophic status in embayments, I develop the Anthro-geomorphic Model, which uses building density and basin morphometry to predict embayment trophic status. Second, I explore the appropriateness of using development densities (building, dock and road) to quantify anthropogenic stress in coastal wetlands. This thesis provides the scientific basis for choosing management practices to protect the coastal waters of Georgian Bay.

This paper aims to assess the current status and effectiveness of coastal wetland utilization in Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province, and to propose solutions to improve land use and conserve the existing wetlands of the locality. Research results show that there are five types of wetlands in Duy Xuyen district: wetlands with tidal forests, streams, freshwater ponds, aquaculture ponds, and irrigated land. The wetland areas in Duy Xuyen district are mainly distributed in 3 communes: Duy Thanh, Duy Nghia and Duy Vinh and there is a noticeable decrease in the period from 2010 to 2016. The calculated results show that the total economic value of wetlands in the study area includes: direct use value is 41,276,949,000 VND/year (accounting for 99.61%), non-use value is 162,855,000 VND/year (accounting for 0.39 %). In which, the social and environmental economic values of wetland use types are totally different. / Bài báo này nhằm mục đích đánh giá thực trạng và hiệu quả sử dụng đất ngập nước ven biển trên địa bàn huyện Duy Xuyên, tỉnh Quảng Nam, trên cơ sở đó đề xuất những giải pháp nhằm nâng cao hiệu quả sử dụng và bảo tồn diện tích đất ngập nước hiện có của địa phương. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy, trên địa bàn huyện Duy Xuyên có 5 kiểu đất ngập nước: vùng đất ngập nước có rừng gian triều, sông suối, vùng nước ngọt, ao nuôi trồng thủy sản, đất được tưới tiêu. Diện tích đất ngập nước trên địa bàn huyện Duy Xuyên chủ yếu phân bố ở 3 xã: Duy Thành, Duy Nghĩa và Duy Vinh và có sự biến động giảm rõ rệt từ năm 2010 đến năm 2016. Kết quả điều tra cho thấy tổng giá trị kinh tế của đất ngập nước trên địa bàn nghiên cứu bao gồm: giá trị sử dụng trực tiếp (41,276,949,000 đồng/năm, chiếm 99.61%), giá trị phi sử dụng (chiếm 0.39% đạt 162,855,000 đồng/năm). Trong đó, hiệu quả xã hội và môi trường giữa các kiểu sử dụng đất ngập nước không đồng đều.