Page 31 - Landscape-Issue124
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WATER WISE





















                          Floating wetlands







        The  gradual  increase  in  the  concentration  of  nitrogen,  Furthermore, these floating wetlands create just enough
        phosphorous,  and  other  plant  nutrients  in  an  aquatic  shade  in  the  water,  influencing  the  temperature  and
        ecosystem is referred to as eutrophication. This process  availability  of  sunlight  for  algae  development.  Floating
        is typically characterised by excessive growth of algae or  wetlands  are also  known to  provide other ecosystem
        plankton in a water body and is a major environmental  services such as habitat provision. They provide a haven
        concern because  it can eventually lead to a  decrease  for aquatic animals and alternative breeding grounds for
        in  dissolved  oxygen  in  the  affected  water  body  as  well  birds.
        as  a  deterioration  of  water  quality.  This  is  particularly
        problematic in a country such as South Africa, where the  Floating  wetlands  are  an  eco-friendly  and  natural  way
        freshwater sources are already limited.               to prevent algal growth in surface water systems. These
                                                              buoyant  filtration  systems  are  ideal  for  use  in  built-up
        Wetlands and their aquatic plant habitats play a significant  urban  environments, as they encourage local birds and
        role in water quality improvement. Wetlands, both natural  insects, as well as provide a pleasant landscape. They can
        and man-made have been frequently employed to improve  also reduce pollution in stormwater run-off.
        water quality. Floating wetlands are ecosystems created
        by using a buoyant substrate to support plants and allow  Conserving and  enhancing  natural habitats and
        them  to grow  hydroponically,  with their roots dangling  environments,  especially  in  urban  areas,  is  essential  to
        down into the water  column. Plants,  as the primary  protect  the  functioning  of  the  ecosystems  that  provide
        engine of the ecosystem, alter the pH, temperature, and  us with crucial goods and services, such as clean water.
        dissolved oxygen of the water column, removing nutrients  Utilising  floating  wetlands  to  remove  pollutants  from
        and heavy metals from the water column through root  collected and stored water is a great way to look after our
        uptake, thereby preventing eutrophication.            most precious natural resource.


        Floating wetlands are being seen as an effective ecological  For more information on other ways you can be Water
        engineering  option  for  removing  nutrients  from  water  Wise, visit the Water Wise website by going to the Rand
        sources. In recent years, this ‘phyto-technology,’ in which  Water  website  and clicking on the
        macrophytes  grow  on  a  buoyant  platform  and  absorb  Water Wise logo.
        nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen directly from the
        water,  has  gained  popularity.  Harvesting  above  ground  Always be Water Wise!
        biomass can directly remove absorbed nutrients from the
        system.









        www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo
        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
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