Department
Biological Sciences
Major
Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Niyogi, Dev
Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Department of Biological Sciences and the OURE Program
Abstract
Eutrophication is among the greatest threats to global freshwater. Methods such as floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) utilize aquatic plants to remove excess nutrients directly from the water column. However, plants senesce or die off seasonally, releasing nutrients back into the water. The harvesting of plant tissues can be employed to remove nutrients from the system more permanently. The effectiveness of these strategies is dependent on the amount of nutrients a senesced or dying plant releases. This study submerged four common Missouri macrophytes in conditions that prompted senescence and examined the nutrient concentrations over time. The amount of nutrients released varied among plant species, with emergent plants offering a more permanent sequestration than either submergent or floating plants, which over time release significant amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen compounds. The findings highlight the importance of plant tissue removal in reducing the nutrient concentrations in freshwater systems using FTWs.
Biography
Michaela Quinones is a junior studying Biological Sciences. Her main interests are in freshwater ecology, biodiversity, and conservation. She is an undergraduate with Dr. Dev Niyogi, and she participates in Water Environment Federation, Phi Sigma Biological Honor Society, and the S&T Equestrian Club. After graduating from S&T, she plans to continue her education with graduate studies.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Award
Sciences – section 3 oral presentation, First place
Location
Ozark Room
Presentation Date
14 Apr 2022, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Nutrient Release from Aquatic Plants
Ozark Room
Eutrophication is among the greatest threats to global freshwater. Methods such as floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) utilize aquatic plants to remove excess nutrients directly from the water column. However, plants senesce or die off seasonally, releasing nutrients back into the water. The harvesting of plant tissues can be employed to remove nutrients from the system more permanently. The effectiveness of these strategies is dependent on the amount of nutrients a senesced or dying plant releases. This study submerged four common Missouri macrophytes in conditions that prompted senescence and examined the nutrient concentrations over time. The amount of nutrients released varied among plant species, with emergent plants offering a more permanent sequestration than either submergent or floating plants, which over time release significant amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen compounds. The findings highlight the importance of plant tissue removal in reducing the nutrient concentrations in freshwater systems using FTWs.
