Hydrology influences the structure and function of wetland ecosystems .Vegetation, landscape and surrounding land use are important factors for urban wetland restoration process and influences the hydrology of the system effecting the water and soil quality of the wetlands. This research monitored the hydrologic changes in water quality and compared the soil properties between the two urban wetland restoration sites in Louisville, KY. Hypotheses are: 1) the water quality will improve with the continued restoration, 2)flow regime would affect the water chemistry and soil development, and 3) soil bulk density in the restored wetlands would reflect accumulation of organic sediments. These two wetlands are at approximately 60 meters apart. W1 is supplied by floodwater during rain events, whereas W2 is supplied by a groundwater spring. W1 is more prone to contain flooding water where as W2 gets spring water. Temperature(deg C), turbidity(FNU), pH, conductivity, nitrate(mg/L) of both wetlands were measured using YSI Pro-DSS. Alkalinity(mg/L CaC03) was measured colorimetrically using a Hach alkalinity kit (Model AL-DT). Soil samples from each wetland were dried at 1050C in oven for 48 hours to measure their bulk densities.
Results/Conclusions
The average bulk density of wetlands before restoration was 0.86 g/cm3 and 1.43 g/cm3 after the restoration. Significant improvement was not seen in the soil quality in terms of organic matter. Scraping of surface soil while reconstructing the wetland could be one of the reasons. Similarly, the sedimentation due to flooding and rain event also helped in minimal improvement in soil quality. The average value of specific conductance for W1 was 800 μS/cm where as it was 979 μS/cm for W2. Similarly, average alkalinity value for W1 was 190 μS/cm and 240 μS/cm for W2. The result shows ground water from spring has also played role in the water chemistry. During rainfall, the hydrology of the restored system changes and the result is clearly seen with higher turbidity and conductance. This proves the flow regime changes the water quality. This research examined the nature of newly restored wetlands and affirmed that beneficial changes in newly restored wetlands is a long process. Monitoring of water quality and physical soil properties will continue toward the goal of understanding hydrologic effects on wetland development in urban settings.