Current research at the experimental wetlands at the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park involves several investigations related to the effects of hydrologic pulses on wetlands. We hypothesize that the amplitude and duration of hydrologic pulsing common in all river systems affects nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycling and other water quality roles in riparian wetlands. Carbon sequestration, denitrification, and wetland productivity are linked through hydrology and we are investigating these links through the comparison of pulsed riparian wetlands at an ecosystem scale. The principal product of this proposed research will be a set of integrated models that apply to river/floodplain systems that will illustrate the importance of pulses on regulating nitrogen and carbon dynamics in river-riparian wetland exchanges.
This research is supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 2006-08. This research project has as its objective to conduct a two-year hydrologic pulsing wetland experiment related to wetland biogeochemical and water quality functions. For the water year October 2006 – September 2007, water is pumped into the two wetlands as steadily as possible, with no pulse events. From October 2007 – September 2008, the wetlands will be subjected to flood pulses whenever the Olentangy River has a flood pulse but the total flow for the year will be the same as the previous year. Research during both years includes phases in hydrology, nutrient dynamics, denitrification, nitrous oxide and methane emissions, methane oxidation, primary productivity of macrophyte and water column communities, and pathogen removal. |
