Project Number: 6408-13660-007-09
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 01, 2011
End Date: Apr 30, 2016

Objective:
The objectives of this cooperative research project are to conduct research (1) on the use of aquatic plants and/or various wetland ecosystems to reduce agricultural contaminants that contribute to non-point source pollution of downstream aquatic ecosystems and (2) that contributes to a better understanding of the causes of aquatic impairment and recommendations for contaminant reduction, with emphasis on the hill lands and delta of Mississippi.

Approach:
Controlled experiments using biological and water quality indicators in mesocosms and constructed wetlands will be used to evaluate the extent of impairment and, conversely, recovery from specific agricultural contaminants that are of national and international concern, i.e. sediments, nutrients, and pesticides. Aquatic plants will be tested for their ability to process simulated agricultural storm runoff.