Structural and Functional Profile of Wetlands as Nutrient Balancing Agents: A case study of three wetlands in Uusimaa Region in Finland

Abstract

The study was conducted to measure the important parameters such as total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), nitrate nitrogen (NO₃–N), nitrite nitrogen (NO₂–N), turbidity and water temperature which act as basic elements of wetland functionality. The study was focused towards three main wetlands in Uusimaa Region in Finland as a core unit and water samples from each inlet and outlet were collected to check the above parameters for five consecutive months. The structure of the study focused their hydrology and chemical properties to investigate the nutrient withholding capacity of these constructed wetlands. The retention capacity of Nitrogen and Phosphorous was a major constituent of our study that categorized the wetlands as excellent (>50%) to moderate (20-50%) functioning levels. The negative results of Furuborgsvägen wetland compelled us to suggest broadening the future investigations before making the final conclusions of its functionality.

YSI probe and the sampling stick were used to measure the water quality and to collect water samples. Turbidity of the inflow water changed the dimensions of the study when it proved the consequences of deforestation. Turbidity increased by 50% in the water samples collected during the rainy season which was directly from the catchment connected to clear-cut area. Catchment connected with agricultural areas also proved the nutrients galore that increased the nitrogen and phosphorous level of these wetlands.