Evaluation of small-scale constructed wetland for water quality and Hg transformation

Elevated concentrations of nutrients and mercury (Hg) make Steamboat Creek (SBC) the most polluted tributary of the Truckee River. Since wetlands are considered cost-effective, reliable, and potential sites for methylmercury (MeHg) production, a small-scale wetland system was constructed and monitored for several years in order to quantify both nutrient removal and transformation of mercury. Results indicated seasonal variations in nutrient removal with 40-75% of total nitrogen and 30-60% of total phosphorus being removed with highest removals during summer and lowest removals during winter. The wetland system behaved as a sink for MeHg during the winter months and as a source for MeHg during summer months.