Wetland construction has increasingly been used as a tool to mitigate the effects of human activity. Most project budgets do not include funds for studying ecological success. My current research investigates the efficacy of a constructed wetland adjacent to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Its intended purpose is to filter storm water runoff from an industrial area. The purpose of this project is to test water samples at several points over time, and analyze whether or not the emergent wetland is filtering out pollutants before the water empties into the Detroit River. Samples are being tested by ion chromatography, using Environmental Protection Agency standards for permissible amounts of contaminants including cations and anions such as fluoride, sulfate, potassium, and organic acids. EPA Method 300.1 (Determination of Inorganic Anions by Ion Chromatography) is the recommended analytical protocol for the determination of several key ions in surface-, ground-, and drinking water.

Testing efficacy of a constructed wetland to filter common water pollutants through ion chromatography

244th National Meeting (2012)

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