Greening Sustainability Brochure - North Carolina A&T State ...

sections were planted with cattails and
bulrushes in March 1996. Later in 2004, the
two cells were converted into complete
marsh. Several years of research was
conducted in cooperation with the USDA-
ARS station scientists at Florence, SC to
understand the wetland system in removal
efficiency of nutrients and pathogens. With
our experience, we learned that these
wetlands are efficient in removing nitrogen
and partial removal of phosphorus and
pathogens. We understood the bacterial
communities and their functionalities in
nutrient removal. In essence, swine
operators can use constructed wetlands as
pre-treatment before land application to
reduce the excess accumulation of
phosphorus in soil and reduce water
pollution.
Apart from our research activities, these
wetland facilities were used for teaching
undergraduate and graduate students. Also,
these facilities are visited year round by
school children to see the wetland
ecosystem and bird watch.
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Dr. G.B. Reddy