Modelling of hydraulic load, nutrient load and nutrient reduction in constructed wetlands.
We have developed a three-step model to calculate retention of the nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) in the constructed wetlands.
In the first step, hydraulic loading to an actual or potential wetland is calculated, based on inflowing water volumes and the surface area of the wetland. The calculation is based on high-resolution elevation data and measured or modeled runoff. In the second step, using export coefficients, the nutrient load to each wetland is calculated based on the catchment's land use and soil type distribution. Finally, nitrogen and phosphorus retention is calculated based on the calculated loads in step 2.
The model results can be used to quickly find out the potential nutrient retention in a proposed wetland, as well as to get an estimation of the wetland size needed to enable optimal nutrient retention.
Reduction in total phosphorus (TP) expressed as total amount (kg) and b as area-specific reduction (kg ha-1) per constructed wetland (CW) of four different sizes. Size of the circles shows the CW area, whereas colours illustrate TP reduction. Published in Djodjic et al., 2020.
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