Poster Session Peat/Wetland Treatment Systems for Water Quality Management, 1995 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Theodore M. Frostman

STS Consultants, Ltd.

Wetlands are nature’s filter and nutrient sink for the deposition of sediments and degradation of contaminants. The internal biological, chemical and physical environment within a wetlands soil and vegetation creates a series of dynamic ecosystems and diverse biological communities. They have a microbiological community capable of breaking down many of the contaminants entering the system. Water movement within the wetland system provides multiple opportunities for biological activities, chemical absorption and/or filtration. Wetlands produce excess vegetation (biomass) providing additional organics/nutrients for sustaining microbe populations. Much of this biomass can eventually become peat. Peat is a common substrate in wetlands and makes an excellent material to construct wetlands. Peat is generally highly organic, providing substantial absorptive and ion exchange capacity, media for microorganisms, fibrous material for filtration, with high water holding capacity.