Uptake and Translocation of Manganese by Native Tree Species in a Constructed Wetland Treating Landfill Leachates

Abstract

A surface flow constructed wetland was used to treat stormwater runoff from surrounding watersheds which are comprised primarily of commercial properties and two former landfills. The uptake of manganese by red maple, white birch and red spruce trees growing under flooded soil conditions in the constructed wetland was compared to that of the same trees growing under well drained soil conditions in a nearby reference site. The seasonal variability of manganese and its distribution in different compartments of these trees (leaves, twigs, branches, trunk wood, trunk bark and roots) were studied. The average manganese concentrations in the aboveground compartments of red maple, white birch and red spruce trees were within the range of manganese concentrations reported in the literature for these trees. The concentrations of manganese in the aboveground compartments of red maple, white birch and red spruce trees in the reference site were significantly greater than those in the constructed wetland (with the exception of manganese concentrations in the trunk wood of red maple trees) because of the acidic soil conditions of the reference site. The percent distribution of manganese in the aboveground compartments of trees did not vary during the growing season. Higher concentrations of manganese were present in the trunk bark and either the leaves or twigs of species on both the constructed wetland and the reference site regardless of the sampling date.