Conclusion

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About the Author

History

Natural Wetlands

Human Use

Constructed Wetland Designs

Plants and Planting

Animals

Microbes

Biogeochemical Cycling

Greenhouse Gases

Conclusion

References

The use of constructed wetlands to treat wastewater is still relatively new. The impressive results achieved so far have prompted great expectations about the technology and what it is capable of. As promising as the early work is with initial efforts to apply natural wetland processes to the varied wastewater treatment needs for human activities over confidence in the technology could preempt it form becoming a commonplace alternative to the more recognized waste water treatment technologies. In response to early enthusiasm, some researchers caution that constructed wetlands will not solve all water treatment problems. They point out that the full water quality possibilities and limitations of constructed wetlands are not fully understood. Wetland processes are like all natural processes a complex web of interweaving actions and reactions that are not easily teased apart. Over passionate application of the constructed wetland technology could prove to have dire consequences; the ability of wetlands to remove certain chemicals and pathogens from wastewater is still is being studied and a catastrophic failure of one large constructed wetland system could slow developmental advancement or even negate the systems as an alternative to traditional treatment styles. The available constructed wetlands information and knowledge is extensive compared to even five years ago, and the database is growing. As more projects are planned and further research conducted, the treatment possibilities of constructed wetlands will be better understood, and advancement will be made.

UVM NR260: Wetlands Ecology and Management
Contact: mcunning@uvm.edu, University of Vermont
Page created/updated: 02/10/2006