Comparing Phosphorus Uptake of Three Plant Types in Wetland Mesocosms

Abstract

Wetlands are a type of ecosystem that are saturated with water and contain characteristic vegetation types. They perform many ecosystem services, including water storage and filtration of nutrients, such as phosphorous. Phosphorous is often a limiting factor for plant growth, and frequently present in agricultural surface water runoff, as it is used in fertilizer to grow crops. Excess nutrients in water bodies harm the broader aquatic ecosystem, causing eutrophication and poorly oxygenated water. Wetlands can assist with removing phosphorous from the environment by storing it within the vegetation. The purpose of this study is to compare phosphorous uptake in wetland mesocosms among three species of plants, characterized by growth type: a cold season grass, Canada blue-joint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis); a warm season grass, prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata); and a sedge, tussock sedge (Carex stricta). The plants have been grown in mesocosms, and have been dried in an oven to determine their dry weights before their phosphorous content is determined. The results of this research can be applied to the design of treatment wetlands, improving water quality downstream by removing excess nutrients from the water.