Utilization of wetlands as bmps for the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural runoff from south florida watersheds

Abstract

As part of an overall strategy to evaluate the impacts of river channelization, the Florida legislature funded a three-year demonstration project. Five sites were studied to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of natural and recreated wetlands to reduce nutrient loads in nonpoint source runoff from agricultural lands. The land uses ranged from native range to highly improved pasture and supported cattle populations of various densities, from 1 animal per 20 acres to over 1.5 animals per acre. Typical nutrient loads in nonpoint source runoff from these lands were determined. The abilities of the wetlands to remove nutrients were mixed. Dissolved inorganic forms of nitrogen and phosphorus were consistently actively taken up while particulate-bound forms (mostly organics) were exported in amounts comparable to those measured in the inflows. © 1986 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.