A comparision of growth and nutrient uptake inPhalaris arundinacea L. growing in a wetland and a constructed bed receiving landfill leachate

Abstract

We compared seasonal growth patterns and nutrient (N, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb) uptake of Phalaris arundinacea in an unpolluted wetland (Ithaca site) to those growing in a constructed wetland (Fenton site) receiving landfill leachate. Winter aboveground living biomass was higher at Fenton than at Ithaca probably owing to the longer growing season at Fenton caused by the warm leachate, which averaged 4-8*(2 during the winter. Uptake of nutrients was also greater at Fenton, with aboveground and belowground N uptake by plants approximately 35 g m -2. Such uptake means that P. arundinacea over the total area of the beds may utilize about 10% of the yearly N input and lesser amounts of other nutrient elements.

Nutrient Accumulation by Phragmites australis and Phalaris arundinacea Growing in Two Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

“…In constructed wetlands, however, the R/S ratio is usually <1.0 (Behrends, Bailey, Bulls, Coonrod, & Sikora, 1994;Bernard & Lauve, 1995). Similar results were observed in our study (Table 11.1).…”

“…On the other hand, et al (1999) nitrogen standing stocks in aboveground Phalaris biomass in natural stands are usually lower than those found in constructed wetlands. Klopatek (1978) reported the value of 12.3 g N m −2 from Wisconsin, Bernard and Lauve (1995) found the range of 2.0-15.5 g N m −2 in New York State and Lukavská (1989) reported the range of 10.9-14.1 g N m −2 in several sites in the Czech Republic.…”

“…The concentrations found in our study were also lower as compared to values reported from natural stands. Bernard and Lauve (1995) reported N concentration in the range of 11.0-32.0 g kg −1 in New York state, Kline and Boersma (1983) found the range between 10.0 and 36.0 g kg −1 in Canada, and Hlávková-Kumnacká (1980) reported the nitrogen concentration range between 8.8 and 39.0 g kg −1 in the Czech Republic. However, Vymazal et al (1999) reported comparable values between 10.2 and 29.0 g kg −1 from constructed wetlands Zásada and Chmelná in the Czech Republic.…”

“…These values are substantially lower than values reported from other constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Bernard and Lauve (1995) reported N concentrations between 22.0 and 46.0 g kg −1 in a system treating landfill leachate in the United States (New York). Behrends et al (1994) reported values between 22.0 and 33.0 g kg −1 in experimental constructed wetlands in Alabama, and Hurry and Bellinger (1990) found nitrogen concentrations up to 45.0 g kg −1 in treatment wetland in England.…”

The effect of harvest date on the yield and mineral content of Phalaris arundinacea L. (reed canary grass) genotypes screened for their potential as energy crops in southern England

“…This has also been reported in crops in the USA. 23 Harvest must occur before new shoots elongate otherwise the biomass harvested will have lower dry matter and higher mineral content. However, following harvest new shoots can be killed by frost from which they were protected by the thatch effect of the dead biomass.…”