Wetlands for Remediation in the Tropics: Wet Ecosystems for Nature-based Solutions

Description

This edited volume provides a review of remediation approaches utilizing aquatic and wetland macrophytes in the Tropics. This form of phytotechnology has exceptional potential as a sustainable nature-based solution, but that potential is not commonly utilized in the Tropics. Constructed wetlands for improvement of water quality are cost-effective, offering affordable solutions for remediation in warm and tropical regions worldwide. The robustness, simplicity, and reliability of treatment wetlands provide efficient long-term operation. Wetlands for Remediation in the Tropics covers theory, provides case studies, and identifies gaps in our current understanding. It highlights why the Tropics differ from temperate regions in this context, particularly concerning differences in climate and species diversity and abundance. Urban, rural, and industrial examples are discussed across 11 chapters. These nature-based solutions, including the concept of ‘Sponge City’, can be applied to tropical areas worldwide and incorporated particularly in highly urbanized regions. The authors, from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the USA, the Netherlands, Mexico, Pakistan, and Taiwan, all have substantial research experience using wetlands for remediation. The topic of this book is relevant not only to scholars and academics but also to practitioners and government officials from developing countries, where scarce resources and a lack of a qualified workforce are common, but large differences exist in history, culture, regulations, climate, water fluctuations, and vegetation. Although ideas based on experiences from temperate regions can be applied, the Tropics require distinct approaches to developing constructed wetlands for remediation. Preface Contents About the Editors Chapter 1: A Brief History of Phytoremediation Using Wetlands 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Phytoremediation 1.3 Wetlands Clean Our Water 1.4 Wetlands for Phytoremediation 1.5 Wetlands for Phytoremediation in the Tropics Compared to Non-tropical Regions 1.6 Conclusions References Chapter 2: Phytoremediation Using Tropical Wetlands: Are Temperate Treatment Wetlands Sound Models? 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Natural Versus Constructed Treatment Wetlands 2.3 Temperature and Its Seasonality 2.4 Hydroperiod and Soil Saturation 2.5 Low Diversity Marsh Vegetation? 2.6 Conclusions References Chapter 3: Tropical and Subtropical Wetland Plant Species Used for Phytoremediation in Treatment Wetlands 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Plant Species Used in TWs from Tropical and Subtropical Regions 3.3 Role of Plants in TWs 3.4 Plant Ecological Dynamics in TWs 3.5 Conclusions References Chapter 4: Wetlands for Bioremediation in Pakistan 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Water Contamination in Pakistan 4.3 Wastewater Treatment in Pakistan 4.4 Plant–Bacteria Synergisms in Treatment Wetlands 4.5 Wetland Bioremediation in Pakistan 4.6 Conclusions References Chapter 5: Urban Wetlands in the Tropics – Taiwan as an Example 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Stakeholders 5.1.2 Global Change – Sea Level Rise 5.1.3 Global Population, Land, and Global Water Use 5.2 Water in Taiwan 5.2.1 Combined (Domestic and Industrial) 5.2.2 Domestic 5.3 Urban Wetlands 5.3.1 Danshui River Wetlands 5.3.2 Gaomei Wetlands 5.3.3 Cigu Salt Pan Wetland 5.4 Conclusion References Chapter 6: Treatment of Urban Stormwater Through Constructed Wetlands – Experiences and Practical Guidance for Tropical and Non-tropical Settings 6.1 Introduction 6.2 The Sydney Olympic Park CW Story 6.2.1 Extent of the Wetlands at SOP 6.2.2 Evolution and Manifestation of Constructed Wetlands at Sydney Olympic Park 6.3 Sydney Olympic Park CW Description 6.3.1 Narawang Wetlands Cluster 6.3.2 Kronos Hill Wetlands Cluster 6.3.3 The Brickpit Wetlands Cluster 6.4 Nutrient, Sediment and Pollution Reduction Functions of the Sydney Olympic Park CW 6.5 Management Approach 6.5.1 Water Management 6.5.2 Bell Frog Habitat Management 6.5.3 Landscape Management 6.5.4 Gross Pollutants Control 6.5.5 Sediment Control 6.5.6 Weed Management 6.5.7 Algae Management 6.5.8 Managing Water Quality 6.6 Research Activities 6.7 Monitoring Activities 6.8 Awareness, Education, and Training 6.9 Integrated Water Management and Development at Sydney Olympic Park 6.9.1 The Guidelines 6.9.2 The MUSIC Pathway 6.9.3 The Management Approaches 6.10 The Need for a Comprehensive and Holistic Approach in the CW Sector 6.11 Conclusions References Chapter 7: Phytoremediation of Agricultural Pollutants in the Tropics 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Fertilizer Pollution 7.3 Phosphorus 7.4 Ammonia 7.5 Heavy Metals 7.6 Insecticides 7.7 Considerations for Tropical Regions 7.8 Conclusions References Chapter 8: Wetlands to Treat Mining Tailings in the Tropics of Central and South America 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Mine Tailings/Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Characteristics and Challenges for Treatment 8.3 Constructed Wetlands Design, Importance, and Implications for Tropics Conditions 8.4 The Crucial Role of Substrate in CW for Treating Mine Tailings/AMD 8.5 Vegetation and Climate Considerations 8.6 Microorganisms for Bio-augmented Systems 8.7 Metal Pathways in Constructed Wetlands 8.8 Theoretical Application of CW Design Based on Experimental Data 8.9 Conclusions, Perspectives, and Future Recommended Research References Chapter 9: Bioremediation and Biofuel Production Using Microalgae 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Bioremediation 9.3 Constructed Wetlands 9.4 Microalgae and Biofuel 9.4.1 Biotic and Abiotic Factors That Affect Oil Production 9.4.2 Energy Production from Biomass 9.4.3 Types of Biofuels 9.4.3.1 Ethanol 9.4.3.2 Biogas (Hydrogen) 9.4.4 Biofuel Potential in Taiwan 9.4.5 Renewable Energy Sources 9.5 Conclusions References Chapter 10: Wetlands for Remediation in Africa: Threats and Opportunities 10.1 Introduction 10.1.1 Background on Wetlands in Africa 10.1.2 Types and Location of Major Wetlands in Africa 10.1.3 The Isolated Wetlands in Africa 10.2 Natural Wetlands in Africa and Remediation 10.2.1 African Wetlands for Remediation 10.2.2 Mechanisms of Bioremediation Processes in Wetlands 10.2.3 Bioremediation Opportunities Under African Wetlands 10.2.3.1 Remediation in Oil Spills 10.2.3.2 Remediation in Acid Mine Water 10.2.3.3 Remediation in Nutrient and Sewage Pollution 10.2.4 Elimination of Microbial Pathogens in Wetlands in Africa 10.3 Remediation Barriers for Wetlands in Africa 10.3.1 Threats Facing Wetlands in Africa 10.3.1.1 Major Threats to Lake Victoria Wetlands 10.3.1.2 Major Threats to the Niger Delta 10.3.1.3 Major Threats to the Zambezi Delta 10.3.2 Gaps and Opportunities for Improved African Wetlands in Remediation 10.4 Conclusions and Recommendations References Chapter 11: Cost and Benefits of Treatment Wetlands in the Tropics 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Cost Structure of Treatment Wetlands 11.2.1 Costs of Treatment Wetlands Reported Around the World 11.2.2 Costs of Treatment Wetlands Reported in Warm and Tropical Regions 11.3 Treatment Wetland Benefits 11.3.1 Treatment Wetlands’ Robustness for Pollutant Removal 11.3.2 Positive Effect of Treatment Wetlands on the Local Biodiversity 11.3.3 Treatment Wetlands as Carbon Sinks 11.3.4 Treatment Wetlands as a Source of Biomass for Plant-Based Materials and Fuels 11.4 Conclusions References Conclusions