2020 Virtual undergraduate Research symposium
Application of Engineered Wetland Technologies to Impaired Water Supplies
* SECOND PLACE BEST IN SHOW *
PROJECT NUMBER: 36
AUTHOR: Kimberly Riddle, Civil and Environmental Engineering
MENTOR: Jonathan (Josh) Sharp, Civil and Environmental Engineering | MENTOR: Adam Brady, Civil and Environmental Engineering
ABSTRACT
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Unit-process open water wetlands contain a photosynthetic biomat that attenuates nitrate (NO3) in suboxic zones; however, reliability concerns prevent their widespread use. Further understanding of the processes affecting unit-process wetlands could contribute to increased widespread use in water treatment. To expand upon this knowledge, I worked on two experiments relating to wetlands: determining amendments to improve microbial activity in a wetland built at the ReNUWIt Mines Park Test Bed, and assisting with an experiment on the impacts of sulfate on nitrate attenuation within a denitrifying woodchip bioreactor. The column experiment indicated that hydraulic residence time (HRT) had a larger impact on nitrate removal processes than sulfate concentration. To determine how to improve microbial activity, 12 microcosms (11 different amendments and a control) were placed under a grow light for two and a half weeks. The pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) in each microcosm was measured before the light came on in the morning and before the light turned off (simulating nocturnal and diurnal activities) serving as a proxy for photosynthesis. Nitrate was the most effective amendment in increasing photosynthetic processes—indicating that the addition of nitrate in a unit-process wetland increases microbial productivity which in turn enhances wetland treatment.
VISUAL PRESENTATION
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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
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Kimberly Riddle is a current junior majoring in Environmental Engineering. She works with Josh Sharp’s research group on the application of engineered wetland technologies to impaired water supplies. Kimberly looks forward to continuing research on wetland technologies as she finishes her undergraduate degree.
Great work, Kim! Looking forward to continuing to build on this in the future.
Thank you, Adam!
I really enjoyed seeing the connection between our two projects as well! Nice job.
Thanks Brayden!
Great job Kim – very clear delivery and presentation. It was really cool to see your data from the Mines park microcosms!
Thank you Michael!
Great work!! I wonder what Nitrate could be doing to increase the microbial activity?
Thank you, Milan! Nitrate likely provides key nutrients for microbes–through increasing nitrate levels in the microcosms, the availability of nutrients increased and likely encouraged the growth and activity of microbes.
Great job Kim! Your video presentation was awesome!
Thank you Julia!