Impacts of effluent release on phosphorus retention and nitrous oxide emissions in prairie wetlands

Wetlands are increasingly seen as a form of natural green infrastructure owing to the many ecosystem services they provide. Like many effluent receiving watersheds in Canada and around the world, the Frank Lake wetland in southern Alberta provides services that support diverse user groups (municipal, industrial, non-profit, recreational). Much like other watersheds, this system is faced with degradation of habitat and water quality, due to its long history of intensive land-use, and inputs of agro-industrial and municipal wastes. Here, our project will define how nutrient-rich effluent inputs to the Frank Lake Wetland complex impact two key ecosystem functions (sediment phosphorus retention; dissolved nitrogen removal through denitrification). The knowledge gained from this research will help the wetland managers (Ducks Unlimited Canada) to design management regimes that balance the needs of all user groups (government, industry, water stewardship groups, recreational users), while preserving the ecological values that flow from the site.

Faculty Supervisor:

Matthew Bogard

Student:

Partner:

Ducks Unlimited Canada (MB)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Water; Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

University of Lethbridge

Program: