Authors:
Vladimir Panov
Book:
Proceedings of the 14th International Peat Congress
Venue:
Stockholm
Keywords:
peat, peatlands, service-introduction, vegetation-mires, water-purification
Documentfile:
Panov 2012: Purification of Water in Natural and Disturbed Peatlands
Summary:
Theme I. Inventory, stratigraphy and conservation of mires and peatlands
SUMMARY
Mire vegetation and peat deposits provide an important ecosystem service in purifying waste water. The sustainability of vegetation and peat depends on the concentration of dissolved and suspended solids in waste water. This paper presents a model of mire vegetation and peat stability to assess the allowable limit of waste water discharge, at which change in vegetation and peat structure occurs. The surface area of natural mire required for effective water treatment without change in vegetation and peat has been calculated. The cost of water purification function has been calculated by analogy with technical sewage treatment plants. A scheme for waste water treatment for drained peatlands is proposed. The peatland area, peat depth and water treatment time required for purification depend on the waste water volume. The waste water treatment can be performed throughout the year.