The role of Delaware River freshwater tidal wetlands in the retention of nutrients and heavy metals

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1983.00472425001200010006x· OSTI ID:5624078

Simpson, R L ^[1]; Good, R E; Walker, R; Frasco, B R

---

1. Rider Coll., Lawrenceville, NJ

Tidal cycle budgets for June, July, August, September, and November 1979 showed that inorganic N was imported to the wetland from the Delaware River early in the growing season and exported late in the growing season. Nitrate and organic nitrogen were imported following macrophyte dieback. Reactive P was never lost from the marsh, and was actually imported on three dates. Total P was imported in July, September, and November, but otherwise exported. The metal present in the lowest concentration, Cd, was always exported; Ni, Cu, Zn were imported on all but one date. Lead was imported late in the growing season and following macrophyte dieback. Nonpoint-source inputs of Pb exceeded inputs from tidal waters. The vegetation played a major role in the retention of N, P, Cu, Pb, and Ni entering the wetland through the growing season. The litter retained significant quantities of all heavy metals following macrophyte dieback, but it serves only as a temporary storage vehicle because rates of decomposition are high. The soil showed no definite seasonal pattern of nutrient or heavy metal retention. Elevated Pb levels occurred at sites near storm drains reflecting rapid sedimentation and retention of this metal as storm waters entered the wetland. It is concluded that freshwater tidal wetlands play an important seasonal role in reducing nutrient and heavy metal loading in the upper Delaware River estuary.

• OSTI ID: 5624078
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Vol. 12:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
COPPER
DELAWARE RIVER
MINERAL CYCLING
LEAD
NICKEL
NUTRIENTS
ZINC
DETRITUS
ESTUARIES
MARSHES
METALS
NITROGEN
PHOSPHORUS
PLANTS
POLLUTANTS
POLLUTION SOURCES
RETENTION
SEDIMENTATION
SOILS
TIDE
UPTAKE
WATER CURRENTS
WATER POLLUTION
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CURRENTS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
NONMETALS
POLLUTION
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VARIATIONS
WETLANDS
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)