Analysis of phosphorus retention in free-water surface treatment wetlands

Wetlands have become the focus of numerous research and restoration efforts due to their ability to assimilate phosphorus and nitrogen from urban wastewater and stormwater runoff. Long-term data collected at Boney Marsh, Florida, USA, and the USEPA wetland database were analyzed to develop a simple tool that can be used to predict and optimize phosphorus retention in wetland treatment systems. Wetland properties such as water loading rate, water depth, P-loading rate, and water retention time were examined for their influence on phosphorus retention. The relationship between wetland properties and phosphorus removal efficiency was reduced to a simple quantitative diagram, `The Phosphorus Removal Efficiency Diagram.' The proposed diagram provides a simple management tool that predicts expected treatment range using controllable hydrologic conditions. The author uses the editor's suggestion for abbreviation.