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Research & Development Report: Survival, Growth and Nutrient Removal of Floating Island Plants in High Salinity Wastewater
Ian Dodkins,
Anouska Mendzil
Swansea University Author: Ian Dodkins
Abstract
Seven species of coastal plants were grown on artificial floating island material to observe their survival, growth and nutrient removal capacity when suspended in tubs of mariculture wastewater. Saline water presents particular difficulties in survival and growth for mostterrestrial plants. There w...
| Published: |
2015
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20579 |
| Abstract: |
Seven species of coastal plants were grown on artificial floating island material to observe their survival, growth and nutrient removal capacity when suspended in tubs of mariculture wastewater. Saline water presents particular difficulties in survival and growth for mostterrestrial plants. There were three different consecutive phases of around 1 month each, with each phase being a batch process, and surviving plants being transferred to the next phase with a fresh volume of mariculture effluent.1. Only Salicornia europea, Juncus maritimus and Spartina maritimus survived2. Salicornia and Juncus both had good root growth, whereas Spartina looked as if it would die shortly after the end of the experiment.3. Salicornia had the highest root surface area, and thus potentially the greatest surface area for supporting nitrifying or denitrifying bacteria.4. Some stems of Juncus initially died back, but after a month it began growing again. Salicornia had more vigorous growth throughout, resulting in much higher biomass, particularly by the end of the experiment.5. Algal growth dominated the water chemistry, rapidly elevating pH and dissolved oxygen and removing ammonia and phosphorus.6. Despite having less light, algae in the tubs with plants was more dense. Organic acids which are known to be exuded by plants probably encouraged greater algal growth.Salicornia europea, even though it is an annual, is a good candidate for use in floating islands for mariculture wastewater treatment. Juncus maritimus, although it grew more slowly, is also a hardy species for potential use, and once established could offer benefits over Salicornia for nutrient removal as roots would remain throughout the year. It is recommended that very careful consideration of light and oxygenation of saltwater treatment ponds is considered since this will profoundly affect the competitive balance between nitrifying bacteria and algae. |
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| Keywords: |
Mariculture, Aquaculture, Saline, Floating Treatment Wetland, Salicornia, Effluent |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |