BioHaven research reports and peer-reviewed papers
Floating Island International, Inc. and its licensees are heavily invested in research and reporting. Here you will find research reports and peer-reviewed papers demonstrating and quantifying the efficacy of BioHaven® floating islands.
Links to pages
The purpose of this project was to produce and test biomimetic, self-sustaining floating treatment wetlands (“floating islands”) that are designed to remove excess nutrients and other contaminants from lakes, streams, and wastewater lagoons and assess their commercialization potential. Grant funding was received from the State of Montana.
(Headley and Tanner, 2011): Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) are an innovative variant of the more traditional constructed wetland and pond technologies that offer great potential for treatment of urban stormwaters. FTWs employ rooted, emergent macrophytes (similar to those used in surface and subsurface flow wetlands) growing on a mat floating on the surface of the water rather than rooted in the sediments.
(Frank Stewart et al. 2008): Floating islands as an alternative to constructed wetlands for treatment of excess nutrients from agricultural and municipal wastes – results of laboratory-scale tests
(Tanner & Headley, 2007): Reduction of metals, particularly copper and zinc, in urban stormwater has been identified as a priority to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems in the Auckland Region (Auckland Regional Council, 2004). Floating treatment wetlands (FTW), employing emergent plants growing on a mat floating on the water surface, rather than rooted in the bottom sediments, provide an innovative option for treating urban stormwaters.
Links to pdfs
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External Links
Performance Evaluation of a Floating Treatment Wetland in an Urban Catchment – Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia. Published by MDPI.
Peer-reviewed article, by authors Peter Nichols, Terry Lucke, Darren Drapper and Chris Walker, published by Switzerland-based journal MDPI, detailing a Floating Treatment Wetlands performance in a stormwater catchment pond in Queensland, Australia. This is a SPEL WaterClean project, using BioHaven technology.
Abstract: Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) systems are purpose-built devices designed to replicate the water treatment processes that occur in and around naturally occurring floating vegetated islands. FTWs can be used to improve the water quality of water storage ponds by contributing to water treatment processes through adhesion, filtration, nutrient uptake (direct use by plants), and sequestration. This paper presents the results of a twelve-month investigation into the pollution removal performance of a FTW receiving stormwater runoff from a 7.46 ha urban residential catchment. Overall pollution removal performance was calculated to be 80% for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), 53% for Total Phosphorous (TP), and 17% for Total Nitrogen (TN). TSS and TP concentrations were found to be significantly reduced after FTW treatment. The study demonstrated that FTWs are an effective treatment solution for the removal of pollution from urban stormwater runoff.
Abstract: Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) systems are purpose-built devices designed to replicate the water treatment processes that occur in and around naturally occurring floating vegetated islands. FTWs can be used to improve the water quality of water storage ponds by contributing to water treatment processes through adhesion, filtration, nutrient uptake (direct use by plants), and sequestration. This paper presents the results of a twelve-month investigation into the pollution removal performance of a FTW receiving stormwater runoff from a 7.46 ha urban residential catchment. Overall pollution removal performance was calculated to be 80% for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), 53% for Total Phosphorous (TP), and 17% for Total Nitrogen (TN). TSS and TP concentrations were found to be significantly reduced after FTW treatment. The study demonstrated that FTWs are an effective treatment solution for the removal of pollution from urban stormwater runoff.
Response of Fish populations to Floating Streambed Wetlands (March, 2018): J. Wesley Neal and M. Clint Lloyd
This exploratory study suggested that FSWs can increase fish production in ponds. Total fish biomass at time of harvest was 19.9% greater in ponds with FSWs than in control ponds. No differences in growth rates were observed for either species studied. Mississippi State University study published in SEAFWA Journal Volume 5, March 2018.
Abstract: Research has shown that FSW technology is efficient in removing nutrients and water contaminants, and recent manufacturer reports claim that FSW technology may also increase total fish biomass in small water bodies. We evaluated this claim using a replicated small (526 m2) pond experiment and FSWs that covered 2.3% of pond surface area. FSWs were installed and planted in August 2013, and ponds were stocked at equal densities with bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in October 2013 and large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in August 2014; populations were allowed to develop naturally prior to harvest in April 2016. Total fish biomass at time of harvest was 19.9% greater in ponds with FSWs than in control ponds. No differences in growth rates were observed for either species. This exploratory study suggested that FSWs can increase fish production in ponds, but further study is warranted.
Abstract: Research has shown that FSW technology is efficient in removing nutrients and water contaminants, and recent manufacturer reports claim that FSW technology may also increase total fish biomass in small water bodies. We evaluated this claim using a replicated small (526 m2) pond experiment and FSWs that covered 2.3% of pond surface area. FSWs were installed and planted in August 2013, and ponds were stocked at equal densities with bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in October 2013 and large-mouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in August 2014; populations were allowed to develop naturally prior to harvest in April 2016. Total fish biomass at time of harvest was 19.9% greater in ponds with FSWs than in control ponds. No differences in growth rates were observed for either species. This exploratory study suggested that FSWs can increase fish production in ponds, but further study is warranted.
Floating Islands for Stormwater and Other Applications – by Dr. Mark Reinsel, PE, published in Water Online
Please read this excellent summary of the performance and benefits of BioHaven floating islands in stormwater applications by following this link.
BioHaven Floating Island demonstration projects have been completed by Floating Island International (FII) in collaboration with the USACE, USGS, NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, Government of Singapore, New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, and others. Numerous case studies have been developed for stormwater, municipal wastewater, lakes and agricultural runoff, “living shorelines” and erosion control. Applications for landfill leachate and metals removal have also been explored. These studies show that a BioHaven® (the original floating treatment wetland developed in 2004 by FII) will remove contaminants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, TSS, and total and dissolved metals.
BioHaven Floating Island demonstration projects have been completed by Floating Island International (FII) in collaboration with the USACE, USGS, NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, Government of Singapore, New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, and others. Numerous case studies have been developed for stormwater, municipal wastewater, lakes and agricultural runoff, “living shorelines” and erosion control. Applications for landfill leachate and metals removal have also been explored. These studies show that a BioHaven® (the original floating treatment wetland developed in 2004 by FII) will remove contaminants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, TSS, and total and dissolved metals.