The Positive Functions of Wetlands

Standing on the levy of the scenic J I Case Wetlands in Terre Haute, Indiana, Dr. Michelle Marincel Payne explained the importance of wetlands. Whether natural or constructed, wetlands offer many positive benefits to overall water quality on Earth.

Wetland Functions

From flood storage to the cycling of nutrients or even acting as a habitat for wildlife, wetlands play a larger role in our lives than many realize. Wetlands can complete these critical tasks through their diverse plant and microbial life that efficiently breaks down the harmful pathogens or chemicals often found in runoff from floods or in excessive nutrients. Excessive nutrients, as described by Dr. Payne, can lead to vital issues. The most prominent example is the dead zone found in the Mississippi River Delta. This area is roughly the size of New Jersey and has low oxygen and low life, which is a significant issue. The cycling and “filtering” that wetlands perform play a substantial role in preventing this issue.

Wetlands are the Solution

A standard solution to treat the water and allow the cycle of these nutrients is through the construction of a wetland. Standing next to the J I Case Wetlands, a constructed wetland, Dr. Payne pointed out that constructed wetlands are an attractive solution for many small communities. Not having as many resources as larger communities, constructed wetlands offer an economical solution for wastewater and sewer overflow situations. Undergraduate students at Rose-Hulman study this with lab-scale versions with Indiana in mind to hopefully improve water quality at home and, in turn, others in the United States.

Benefits of Biosand Filters

A recent project facilitated by Professor Wayne Padgett, an electrical engineering professor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, has the possibility of fixing a major world issue. This issue involves 800 million people and their lack of access to clean water. As Padgett addresses, nearly 72% of illnesses related to clean water are due to bacteria in the water. The project he facilitated involved the research and development of biosand filters and an exploration of improvements and their effectiveness in an environment that is off the grid.

The Biosand Filter’s Process

Located near a water source, the filters begin to work via a solar panel that drives the pump located in the water source. This pump pushes water into a fill tank which slowly drips through a sand filter and into various storage tanks. The sand not only removes particles but also contains a bacterial layer that grows on the top of the sand. This bacteria eats the harmful bacteria in the water that causes sickness. Additional chlorination can be added to this process if needed.

The Effect of the Filter

In poor or developing areas of the world, sometimes surface water sources such as ponds are their only access to water. Many of these sources are contaminated with mammal waste that is not safe. As this filter can be operated without power, it is a solution to their clean water issue and can be provided at a relatively low cost.