G. Vellidis, R. Lowrance, R.K. Hubbard 1
A recently restored riparian wetland is being evaluated as a bioremediation site for nutrients and pesticides moving downslope from agricultural uplands. In question is the short-term effectiveness of the restored wetland in enhancing the quality of the water leaving the site. The wetland was restored by reintroducing a combination of native trees which will be eventually harvested for pulpwood or timber wood. Native grasses and forbs were allowed to reestablish themselves amongst the trees. An intensive monitoring program using a network of shallow ground water monitoring wells and surface runoff collectors was established to measure agrochemical movement through the wetland in shallow ground water and surface runoff. Ground water and surface runoff samples were analyzed for NO3N, NH4N, TKN, PO4P, Total P, Cl, atrazine and alachlor concentrations.
