简介：AnumberofresearchprogramshavebeenestablishedtoevaluatepotentialapplicationsofconstructedwetlandsinWesternAustralia.Theseconstructedwetlandsareknownnotonlyfortheirnutrientremovalcapability,butalsotheirroleinhabitatcreation,urbanlandscapingandwaterqualityandenvironmentalhealth.Theyplayanimportantroleinthereductionofnutrients,particularlyphosphorous,fromenteringthewaterways.ThispaperreportsontheimprovementofwaterqualityinthePeelMainDrainbeforeitsdisposalintothePeelEstuary,Perth,WesternAustralia.Thenitrogentophosphorous(N:P)ratiowasbelowthecriticallimitduringsummer(dryspell)andthesystemwaslimitedbynitrogen.Theconcentrationofphosphoruswashighinsummerandlowinwinterduetoincreasedavailabilityofdissolvedoxygeninwinter.AwetlandwasproposedtoimprovethewaterqualityinthePeelMainDrainusingvegetationandsubstrate.Thehydrologiceffectivenesswasfoundtobe78%foradetentiontimeof30hours.Itisexpectedthatthemaximumnitrogenremovalefficiencyoftheconstructedwetlandwillbe80%withanestimatedefficiencyof40%inthefirstyearand60-80%inthesubsequentyears.Forphosphorousitisexpectedthattheconstructedwetlandwillbeeffectiveinremovingfilterablereactivephosphorous.TraditionalsedimentremediationtechniqueshavebeenfoundunsuitableforthelongtermbindingofthephosphorousthereforetheuseofPhoslockTMisrecommended.