Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
Physical and Chemical Monitoring
of Wetland Water
Joseph R. Bidwell
Abstract The physical and chemical attributes that comprise the “water quality” of
a wetland have a significant influence on the system's biotic structure and function.
Assessments of wetland water quality can be used for reference-based monitoring
in the development and implementation of wetland water quality standards and to
provide ancillary information in support of biotic surveys. While the methods used to
evaluate water quality in wetlands are generally the same as those used for other
surface waters, wetlands may differ in their dominant source of water, often have
greater heterogeneity in habitat types, and can exhibit significant variability in water
permanence. These characteristics can lead to spatial and temporal variability within
and among wetlands that can make it difficult to use water quality data to detect
human impacts. This chapter reviews some of the major sources of variability in
wetland water quality and discusses approaches and general sampling considerations
for characterizing basic water quality in wetland monitoring studies.
6.1
Introduction
The “water quality” of a wetland encompasses a range of physical and chemical
attributes that largely determine its biotic composition and function. This chapter
focuses on some of these physical and chemical variables (Table 6.1 ), with the goal
of highlighting issues that should be considered when collecting these data. Even
though a significant amount of “chemistry” goes on in wetland soils as they become
anoxic after inundation (see Boon 2006 ; Mitsch and Gosselink 2007 ), the emphasis
here will be on the water column as chemical and physical elements of the water are
more commonly measured in routine monitoring of wetlands. This discussion will
also primarily focus on inland wetlands, although coastal/tidal systems may exhibit
significant variability in water quality as well.
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