Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Plant and Environmental Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Amy E. Scaroni
Committee Member
Sarah A. White
Committee Member
Debabrata Sahoo
Committee Member
William H.J. Strosnider
Abstract
Stormwater ponds are commonly used as a flood control strategy, particularly in coastal developments. Many coastal stormwater ponds are impaired with high nutrient levels that can lead to algal blooms, impacting the water quality of the pond and surrounding ecosystem. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are one potential strategy that can be implemented in stormwater ponds to reduce high nutrient concentrations, however limited research has been done in brackish waterbodies. To determine the suitability of using FTWs in brackish stormwater ponds this research focused on (1) coastal resident perceptions of FTWs and (2) plants that can be utilized in FTWs deployed in brackish ponds. Focus groups and online surveys with coastal residents were performed to determine their priorities when deciding to support FTW installation in their community. Next 11 aquatic macrophytes were screened in a greenhouse over a range of salinities to determine their growth and nutrient uptake capabilities under salinity stress. Finally, full-scale FTWs were deployed in 3 brackish ponds in Mt. Pleasant, SC to determine FTW success in water quality improvement. Results indicate the secondary benefits of FTWs like aesthetics and habitat creation are important to residents and should be incorporated in FTW design to gain community support. Plant selection will need to be guided based on the salinity of the pond as not all plants can survive mesohaline conditions.
Recommended Citation
Escamilla, Clare, "Developing Guidance for the Use of Floating Treatment Wetlands in Brackish Stormwater Ponds" (2025). All Dissertations. 3986.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/3986