Short Course on Wetlands for Water Treatment and Resource Recovery.
Short Course on
Wetlands for Water Treatment and Resource Recovery in collaboration with University of Florida
July 24 – 29, 2016
Course Overview
Quality water for human use, agricultural production and natural resources is a critical commodity in limited and often decreasing supply around the world. Treatment of water using chemical and energy intensive approaches is possible but often costly due to initial infrastructure and continuous maintenance. Alternatively, the use of natural processes to improve water quality and potentially utilize waste nutrients in the water is possible. For many decades now, constructed and natural wetlands for water treatment and resource recovery have been investigated, and findings have shown significant potential for wetlands to improve water quality in a diverse suite of wastewater sources. This course will provide an overview of the processes that make wetlands an effective water treatment alternative and highlight various opportunities to integrate wetlands into the landscape for resource recovery and protection
The course will explore all aspects of the use of wetlands for water treatment and resource recovery. The course will introduce participants to fundamental processes and environmental drivers of a wetland including hydrology, soils, biogeochemical cycles and wetland plant adaptations. These fundamentals will be introduced in a broader context of wetlands around the globe and how natural wetland systems are influenced by these fundamental processes and effect water quality of downstream aquatic systems
The course will explore all aspects of the use of wetlands for water treatment and resource recovery. The course will introduce participants to fundamental processes and environmental drivers of a wetland including hydrology, soils, biogeochemical cycles and wetland plant adaptations. These fundamentals will be introduced in a broader context of wetlands around the globe and how natural wetland systems are influenced by these fundamental processes and effect water quality of downstream aquatic systems
Total number of participants will be about 25 from both Asia and Africa.
Course Topics
- Overview of wetlands and their overall role functions and values in and integrated watershed management in various landscapes for sustainable development
- Types of constructed wetland systems for use in various landscapes
- Hydrologic and ecological features of constructed wetlands
- Microbiology of constructed wetlands
- Role of vegetation in constructed wetlands for water treatment
- Biogeochemical features of constructed wetlands
- Design and optimization for using constructed wetlands to treat a wide range of waste waters
- Monitoring and assessment of constructed wetlands for water treatment efficiency
- Case studies of constructed wetlands from the USA
- Case studies of constructed wetlands in developing countries
- Potential uses of biomass produced in constructed wetlands
- Decentralised wastewater treatment as a business model
The course also provide a hands on design opportunity using a theoretical waste water source and several site scenarios to go through a step by step evaluation and design process that will synthesize all of the material learned in this course.
Course Instructors
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Dr. Mark Clark, Associate Professor- Wetland Ecology. Expertise in wetland ecological dynamics, ecohydrology, vegetation dynamics and the integration of wetlands and other biological treatment systems into the landscape to mitigate water quality impacts related to stormwater runoff in urban and agricultural landscapes. |
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Dr. Kanika Inglett, Research Assistant Professor – Environmental Microbiology and Bioremediation. Expertise in microbiology related to remediation of waters and soils enriched with metal and organic contaminants. |
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Dr. Patrick Inglett, Associate Professor – Biogeochemistry – Expertise in biogeochemical processes and nutrient cycling in wetlands related to water quality improvement and climate change. |
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Dr. K. Ramesh Reddy, Graduate Research Professor – Biogeochemistry – Expertise in the use of constructed wetlands for treatment and resource recovery. |
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Dr. Suhas P Wani, Director, Soil Scientist with expertise in integrated watershed management and safe use of wastewater in agriculture and Integrated water resources development. |
Who should attend?
- Researchers, policy makers and academicians working in the area of IWMP
- NARS scientists
- Government officials: Watershed, agriculture, land and water resources, Rural development
- Environmental consultants, national and international NGO representatives associated directly in IWMP.
- Managers and policy makers involved in municipal and industrial waste water treatment
- Students
- Environmentalists, Environmental Engineers, and Scientists
- Environmental Consultants, Regulators, and Scientists
- Extension Agents, Policy Makers, and Administrators
Benefits
- This training will enhance the understanding of participants in new holistic and farmer-centric approaches in managing agricultural watersheds.
- The training group will get a broad understanding on the potential use of low-cost green technologies for water treatment and resource recovery, and strengthening ecosystem services.
- The program will enhance the capacity of various stakeholders in use of new science tools including the use of constructed wetlands for water treatment in a range of landscapes
Course Fee
Indian participants INR 30,000
International participants USD 500
Fee includes
The course fee covers a CD containing lecture notes, PowerPoint slides (PDF), sample exercises and selected journal articles (PDF). One computer will be provided for two participants for hands-on exercises during the training period.
The fee also covers on-campus accommodation (twin sharing in flats, or single dormitory), meals and refreshments.
The fee does not include travel costs to and from ICRISAT.
During the training course, day care services can be arranged for participants who intend to bring their children (aged 6 months-4 years old). The charges will be INR 200/- per day.
