Role of Delaware River fresh water tidal wetlands in the retention of nutrients and heavy metals

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6387536

Simpson, R L; Good, R E; Walker, R; Frasco, B R

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 nitrgen 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, November, but otherwise exported. The metal present in the lowest concentration, Cd, was always exported; Ni, Cu, and 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 fresh water tidal wetlands play an important seasonal role in reducing nutrient and heavy metal loading in the upper Delware River estuary.

• Research Organization: Rider Coll., Lawrenceville, NJ
• OSTI ID: 6387536
• 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

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CADMIUM
COPPER
DELAWARE RIVER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
ESTUARIES
FRESH WATER
FUNCTIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
LEAD
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
NICKEL
NITRATES
NITROGEN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RETENTION FUNCTIONS
RIVERS
SOILS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
WATER POLLUTION
WETLANDS
ZINC