is phragmites being spread by wastewater treatment facilities? · wwtp reed bed installations...
TRANSCRIPT
Is Phragmites Being Spread by
Wastewater Treatment Facilities?
Todd Norwood
Treaty Natural Resources Division
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Phragmites australis subsp. australis
Non-native Common Reed Photo Credit: Dara Unglaube,
GLIFWC
Phragmites australis subsp. americanus
Native Common Reed
Project Location
Project Location
• Microflora reduces
biosolids to H2O & CO2
• Phragmites removes H2O
• Final product is 50-75%
total solids
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Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)
Reed Beds
Phragmites australis subsp. australis
Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)
Reed Beds
“In the past 30 years of operation, we
have never seen evidence of Phragmites
escaping from a constructed facility”
WWTP Reed Bed Installations
Washburn - 1997
Red Cliff - 2003
Greater Bayfield -
2006
1997
2000
2003
2006
2007 2013
Invasive Species
Surveys Start
Invasive Species
Surveys Start
2016
PHAUA7
PHAUA7
Year: 2003
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2007Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2008Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2009Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2013Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2014Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2015Map Credit: GLIFWC
GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route
Year: 2016Map Credit: GLIFWC
Question:
What is the source of non-
native Phragmites (PHAUA7)
populations in the
Chequamegon Bay region?
Hypothesis:
Due to proximity of WWTP
(~1 mile), we suspect the
external populations may be
introduced by escaped or
displaced propagules of
PHAUA7 originating from the
WWTPs.
Concerns:• High-quality coastal and inland wetlands
Concerns:
• PHAUA7 not yet
well established in
the Lake Superior
basin
Source: Jason Granberg, WDNR
• $$ to control once
established
Concerns:• Wild Rice (Zizania pulustris) habitat
Photo: Sarah Johnson, Northland College
Interagency and Partner Response
• Annual control and monitoring
• Genetic study
• WWTP alternative technology analysis
Genetic Study
Question #1
What is the
genetic diversity
and relatedness
of PHAUA7
within and
across the three
WWTP Reed
Beds?
Genetic Study
Question #2
PHAUA7
What is the
genetic diversity
and relatedness
of PHAUA7 in
external
populations?
Genetic Study
Question #3
PHAUA6
What is the
genetic diversity
and relatedness
of PHAUA6
populations in
the study areas?
Genetic Study
Question #4
? HYBRID
PHAUA7PHAUA6
What is
genetic
distance?
External
popluations
outside of
reed beds
Genetic Study
Question #5
=?PHAUA7
PHAUA7
Is there statistical
support for
genetic similarity?
Sample Collection for Genetic Analysis
3-10 culms per 42 patches
PHAUA7
Areas:
1) WWTPs
2) External populations
3) St. Louis River Estuary
1 leaf per culm collected
Sample Collection for Genetic Analysis
3-10 culms per 20 patches
Areas:
1) Established populations
nearest to WWTPs
2) St. Louis River Estuary
1 leaf per culm collected
PHAUA6
Sample Collection
Sample Collection
Sample Collection
Sample Collection
Sample Collection
Sample Collection
WWTP Alternatives Analysis
Considered 8 alternatives via
Monetary and Non-monetary
Analyses:
1. Non-native Phragmites Reed Beds
2. Native Phragmites Reed Beds
3. Sand Drying Beds
4. Biosolids Thickening
5. Biosolids Dewatering
6. Regional Biosolids Management Facility
7. Alternative Ultimate Disposal,
Nonbeneficial Reuse
8. Hauling Sludge to Ashland, WI WWTP
Conclusions• We assume external Phragmites populations in
the Chequamegon Bay area to originate from
the three WWTPs.
• The genetic analysis should provide important
insight and could influence future use of
PHAUA7 in WWTP systems.
• Possible influence on state permitting guidance
in WI (18 WWTPs) and MN (17 WWTPs).
• Use of alternative technologies is likely a
better option to using PHAUA7 reed beds.
Acknowledgements
• Chicago Botanic Garden – Dr. Jeremie Fant & Laura Steger
• CSRA
• EPA and the GLRI
• GLIFWC – Dara Unglaube, Miles Falck, Sam Quagon
• NCWMA
• NPS – Brenda Lafrancois
• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
• Strand Associates
• WDNR