A floating wetland is aquatic plant foliage built on a buoyant surface to float on water (aquatic habitats). It is a man-made, tiny platform filled with native wetland plants (reeds, grasses, sedges, and flowering species), which allow the plants to grow by sourcing nourishment from the water.
From industrial factories to small households, each entity plays a poignant role in the pollution of the water. Life-giving water bodies such as lakes and rivers are constantly contaminated by a barrage of harmful chemicals and residuals each day. To counteract such contaminant factors and purify the water, floating wetlands are the best choices because they organically cleanse the water bodies with the help of nature.
What are Floating Wetlands?
Floating wetlands, widely known as Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTW) are small artificial islands of aquatic emergent plants on a buoyant platform to grow in water. Their roots sprawl across the floating islands and down into the deep water, creating dense columns of roots with lots of surface area.
The roots of these native plants grow deep into the water, forming dense columns of roots. Floating Wetlands influence the central ecological function by creating a root matrix that extends beneath the water’s surface. Such naturally-born roots provide habitat and refuge for various aquatic organisms. The most commonly used elements in building the platforms of floating wetlands are buoyant materials such as foam, natural fibers, and recycled plastic.
Floating Wetlands work as natural purifiers by eliminating contaminants and nutrients to improve the conditions of the water. Furthermore, floating wetland materials provide extensive surface area for microbes to grow on. Such a vast growth of microbes forms a slimy layer of biofilm where the majority of nutrient uptake and degradation occurs in an FTW system.
What are the benefits of floating wetlands?
Wetlands use natural mechanisms to cleanse water as it enters shallow regions of lush aquatic foliage and porous bottom sediments. The key methods for removing nutrients include microbial and vegetative conversion and absorbance, uptake and removal into both inorganic and organic debris, and vaporisation. Aquatic plants, whether above and below water, absorb these components from the sand and water into their own vegetative. The crops not only absorb vitamins and toxins, but their root systems and floating islands material gives an ample surface area for microorganisms to flourish, generating a sticky coating of biofilm. In a floating Garden system, the biofilm forms where the vast majority of nutritional consumption and decomposition transpires. There are various advantages,
Reduce Water Pollution:
By nature, Floating Wetlands act as natural water filters by absorbing nutrients and eliminating contaminants. The native wetland plants and their root systems completely remove harmful algal blooms by absorbing nitrogen and phosphorus for better water health.
Natural Filtration System:
Floating Wetlands evolve into and function within their own ecosystems. As water flows under the wetlands, the lush roots anchor down the sediments, thus producing clean water. Floating Wetland soils are typically rich in organic matter and support diverse microbial communities. These microbes have the ability to break down and transform pollutants through processes such as denitrification. Wetlands also obstruct strong UV light from the sunlight, thus giving way to sustainable microorganisms.
Beautifying waterways
Floating Wetlands bring a distinct beauty to water bodies. They bring out a positive vibe around the lakes and ponds and create a serene environment through lush green shrubs. Floating Wetlands attract a wide range of species and serve as nesting sites for birds, insects, and other wildlife, thus promoting biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Having a verdant stream floating with lush plants is a sight worth beholding and elevates the aesthetic appeal of waterways.
Cost-Effective Solution:
The implementation sites of floating wetlands are vast, ranging from ponds to rivers. The materials used to build floating platforms are comparatively less expensive compared to the huge machinery used to cleanse the water. Besides being cost-effective, Wetlands can also turn into self-financing aids when entertained with recreational activities such as birdwatching, fishing, and nature contemplation, thus improving the overall experience for visitors and residents.
Improving water quality
Water is the basis of all life. As humans, it is our inherent responsibility to protect and use water with care. Many new revolutions, such as Floating Wetlands are proof that water is in short supply and needs to be protected. The deep root systems of floating wetlands absorb gasses that thwart the life and purity of water. By planting as many wetlands as possible, the purity of water can be restored with minimal effect and maximum assurance.
Low Maintenance:
Additionally, maintenance requirements for floating wetlands, such as vegetation management and occasional platform adjustments, are generally less labor-intensive and costly compared to larger-scale constructed wetlands. Wetlands operate in their own ecosystem, where nature troubleshoots and fixes all the deterrents without any human intervention. With enough knowledge and experience, Wetlands can be maintained for longer periods as they tend to blend in with nature and sustain themselves on their own.
Types of plants to use
Canna Indica and Variegated Canna
Water Bamboo
Paper Grass
Cyperus (Alternifolius)
Vetiver
Lilly
Umbrella Grass
Water Grass
Choosing the right location:
Before revving up the process, it is important to understand the site to construct floating wetlands. Site Assessment, Flow of wastewater, Exposure to Sunlight, Water Quality, Size and Depth, Compatibility, Maintenance costs, vegetation, and anchoring are some of the key elements to cross off the checklist.
Maintenance Requirements:
It is essential to understand the maintenance costs and viability before taking action. The pivotal maintenance chores include checking on the floating wetland frequently to gauge its effectiveness, plant development, and water quality advancements. It is advisable to clear away debris, eradicate invasive species, and trim vegetation whenever necessary. Make sure the floating wetland is kept in good shape and implement any required changes to maximize its efficiency.
Frequently asked questions
How effective are floating wetlands?
Floating Wetlands are effective on various levels. From cleaning waters to absorbing harmful chemicals and sedition, Floating Wetlands are one of the most effective ways to redeem aquatic life and quality with nature’s support. The benefits of floating wetlands are not limited to the redemption of water but also serve as scenic spots and create an ecological balance by diversifying the water bodies for various species.
What materials are used in floating wetlands?
As mentioned in the article, wetlands are made with buoyant materials such as recycled plastics. They ensure that the platform supports life and acts as a substrate for biofilms where plants can spread their roots under the water to stabilize and create an ecosystem for aquatic benefits.