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

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 12:1; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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