Introduction Water Table Hydroperiod Run-Off Water Pollution Exotic Growth

WATER POLLUTION
Besides rerouting water flow, reducing pollution is also a major concern. Pollution reduction methods require the same type of ecological engineering as water flow restoration. One well-known method that can be quickly implemented is retention. However, retention inhibits water from getting to the Everglades. Lake Okeechobee has been considered a possible retention area, yet phosphorus levels are already too high. Yet another method for pollution reduction is treatment of the water. This involves using an artificial marsh as a filter/buffer. The marsh would allow clean water to pass on to the Everglades.
According to Nova Southeastern University, the best management techniques for agriculture in order to reduce nutrient run-off into the Everglades include the following:

• Covering crops to reduce wind and water erosion;
• Spreading soil removed from canals to fields;
• Laser-leveling fields;
• Modifying pump practices;
• Planting vegetation along canal banks;
• Minimizing fertilizer application;
• Rotating crops;
• Growing rice during the summer flooding, allowing for higher water tables;
• Using vegetable drainage water in sugarcane fields, and;
• Retaining drainage on-farm, reducing phosphorus losses from 15-60%.

Increased phosphorus uptake also can be attained through submerged aquatic vegetation, direct filters consisting of sand and carbon, membrane filters, dissolved air filtration that allows for phosphorus to attach to air bubbles and release into the atmosphere, chemicals that bind to phosphorus and then settle to the bottom, or various other mechanism. Implementing such methods south of the EAA and north of the Everglades National Park will reduce the total phosphorus discharge to the Everglades ecosystem. (5)

Main | History | Restoration
Environmentalist Perspective | Agriculture Perspective
Conclusions | Bibliography

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