HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (12) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Harter, S. K. Articles by Mitsch, W. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Harter, S. K. Articles by Mitsch, W. J. GeoRef GeoRef Citation Agricola Articles by Harter, S. K. Articles by Mitsch, W. J. Related Collections Wetlands and Aquatic Processes Ecosystem Management Ecosystem Restoration Surface Water Quality Wetland Soils

TECHNICAL REPORTS
Waste Management

Patterns of Short-Term Sedimentation in a Freshwater Created Marsh

School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210

* Corresponding author (Mitsch.1{at}osu.edu)

Received for publication September 17, 2001. This study investigated different sedimentation measurement techniques and examined patterns of short-term sedimentation in two 1-ha replicate created freshwater marshes in central Ohio, USA. Short-term (one-year) sediment accumulation above feldspar, clay, glitter, and sand artificial marker horizons was compared at different water depths and distances from wetland inflow. A sediment budget was also constructed from turbidity and suspended sediment data for comparison with marker horizons. Glitter and sand marker horizons were the most successful for measuring sediment accumulation (81–100% marker recovery), while clay markers were completely unsuccessful. The sedimentation rate for both wetlands averaged 4.9 cm yr^-1 (36 kg m^-2 yr^-1), and ranged from 1.82 to 9.23 cm yr^-1 (12.4 to 69.7 kg m^-2 yr^-1). Sedimentation rates in deep, open water areas were significantly higher than in shallow, vegetated areas for both wetlands (t test, p < 0.05). However, observed sedimentation patterns may be attributed more to preferential flow through open water areas than to water depth or presence of vegetation. Contrary to the expected spatial distribution, sedimentation was highly variable within the wetlands, suggesting that bioturbation and turbulence may cause significant resuspension or that high hydrologic loads may distribute sediments throughout the basins. A sediment budget estimated sediment retention of approximately 740 g m^-2 yr^-1 per wetland (43% removal rate), yet gross sediment accumulation was 36 000 g m^-2 yr^-1 measured by marker horizons. These results suggest that erosive forces may have influenced sedimentation, but also may indicate problems with the sediment budget calculation methodology.

Abbreviations: ORWRP, Olentangy River Wetland Research Park • TSS, total suspended solids

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M. Nahlik and W. J. Mitsch The Effect of River Pulsing on Sedimentation and Nutrients in Created Riparian Wetlands J. Environ. Qual., June 23, 2008; 37(4): 1634 - 1643. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Ginting and M. Mamo Measuring Runoff-Suspended Solids Using an Improved Turbidometer Method J. Environ. Qual., April 3, 2006; 35(3): 815 - 823. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Anderson, W. J. Mitsch, and R. W. Nairn Temporal and Spatial Development of Surface Soil Conditions at Two Created Riverine Marshes J. Environ. Qual., October 12, 2005; 34(6): 2072 - 2081. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]