Developing design guidelines for constructed wetlands to remove pesticides from agricultural runoff

Abstract This paper presents a research strategy for evaluatung the capability of constructed, restored, and natural wetlands to assimilate and process pesticides associated with agricultural runoff from croplands. A modeling approach that is central to this research strategy is presented and the mathematical foundation is explicitly stated. This approach generates predictions that can be experimentally and rigorously tested. Criteria for selection of “model” pesticides for experimentation include factors such as use patterns and amounts as well as intrinsic characteristics of the pesticide. The design of the experimental constructed wetland cells for this research includes water flow and depth control, clay liners to prevent infiltration, and wetland vegetation as a variable. The experimental strategy should permit optimal transfer of study results from site to site and ultimately provide recommindations for pesticides that are compatible with wetlands as well as design characteristics for constructed wetlands to be used with specific crop-pesticide combinations.