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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #176306
Title: DENITRIFICATION ENZYME ACTIVITY IN CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS AND RIPARIAN ZONES

Author
item Hunt, Patrick
item Matheny, Terry
item Poach, Matthew
item REDDY, G - NC A&T STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2005
Publication Date: 3/20/2005
Citation: Hunt, P.G., Matheny, T.A., Poach, M.E., Reddy, G.B. 2005. Denitrification enzyme activity in constructed wetlands and riparian zones [abstract]. 9th International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands, March 20-23, 2005, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. p. 48.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Effective use of both riparian buffers and constructed wetlands can improve nutrient management in watersheds with significant livestock production. Constructed wetlands with continuous vegetative cover (marsh) have been documented to be very effective for denitrification of nitrogen in swine wastewater. The marsh-pond-marsh wetlands have been shown to be less effective for removal of nitrogen, but they can be somewhat enhanced by soil aeration and the associated nitrification from short interruptions of wastewater application. We used the acetylene blockage method with soil slurries to assess the denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) of both types of constructed wetlands. We specifically investigated changes with additions of carbon and nitrate along with the response of DEA to different wastewater N loading rates. We also similarly assessed DEA in different landscape positions of riparian zones and a watershed impacted by livestock manure application. Rates of DEA in both the riparian zones and the constructed wetlands were consistent with high rates of denitrification. Denitrification appeared to be generally proceeding to di-nitrogen, but some incomplete denitrification (N2O) indicated that more evaluation of this aspect of the denitrification process is needed.