Freshwater Quality Research Articles

A double win: new pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality in New Zealand

This paper explores potential land-sector policies and practices that could help meet New Zealand’s 2030 Paris Agreement target of reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2005 levels while simultaneous achieving improvements in freshwater quality. We use an integrated model of the country’s agricultural and forestry sectors to explore the economic and environmental outcomes for 21 freshwater and climate change policy alternatives and mitigation target scenarios. The agri-environmental model estimates are then included in a multidimensional decision space framework that incorporates the risk attitude of policy-makers and uses an ordered weighting average model to evaluate potential policy pathways. We find policies that feature afforestation of marginal land are often preferred over because they provide a range of co-benefits such as carbon sequestration and reduced sedimentation and nutrient loss at relatively low cost. On the contrary, policies that only target a specific practice or pollutant are often less preferred because they fail to provide ample spill overs relative to their cost savings.

Editor's Introduction

An underlying theme in this issue is that of place and environment, but the articles build upon a wide range of conceptual approaches, locations, human activities and agency. We begin with Jonathan West’s article on New Zealand lakes. An environmental historian, and J.D. Stout Fellow at the Stout Research Centre in 2019, West’s research comes at a critical juncture when the declining quality of freshwater is the focus of intense national debate and argument. As West points out, the pollution in our lakes is the result of the farming practices and the residential uses of the land around them and resolving or mitigating problems decades in the making is going to pose very difficult questions for us all.

A Holistic Approach to Stormwater Green Infrastructure

One of the factors that threaten fresh water quality is the input of anthropogenic nutrients, a problem heightened in urban areas with lots of impervious surfaces. The implementation of stormwater green infrastructure allows stormwater runoff to be filtered before entering waterways, reducing nutrient input. Stormwater green infrastructure includes installations such as green roofs, green alleyways, and parks which can provide environmental, mental and physical health benefits to local residents who may have lacked access to green space. However, such installations can also have the counter intuitive effect of gentrification, termed the ‘green space paradox’. Through the review of published literature and case studies, a holistic design of stormwater green infrastructure implementation is presented in this study, which includes public participation, sustainability, and equity of distribution.

Embedded processor based automated assessment of quality of the water in an IoT background

For the life of human beings, water is necessary. While nearly 70% of the earth is drained, just 3% are known to be fresh water. Moreover, approximately 2.6% of the cooling water is not accessible to people. They are either trapped in glaciers and polar ice caps, contained in the soil or water, heavily poisoned, or unnecessarily drained below the Earth's surface. So only 0.4% of the drinkable water in the world is shared by the 7 billion inhabitants. Fresh water is therefore a valuable resource to be regulated and properly maintained. Only 80% of liquid fresh water should not be available to the public in many developing countries. By exponentially increasing the population of India, Fresh Water management in the farming, manufacturing and other fields is much more critical because of water requirements. “Physical, biological and chemical” parameters can be analyzed in determining the Fresh Water Quality. The scientists will manually carry out traditional water quality sampling. Nonetheless, this method takes a little bit of time and is cost-effective. Now, the IoT technology is used to track, capture and analyze the data in various fields of research. In this paper, we design a low-cost system to achieve water value in an IOT environment. The system consists of several sensors used for the calculation of chemical and physical water parameters. The machine learning algorithm has also been used to forecast water quality based on its data set, which were learned from a number of water samples. This system was modeled by using the U D00* 86 Ultra and Teensy++2.0 data processors at low budgets.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loads in Greek Rivers: Implications for Management in Compliance with the Water Framework Directive

Reduction of nutrient loadings is often prioritized among other management measures for improving the water quality of freshwaters within the catchment. However, urban point sources and agriculture still thrive as the main drivers of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in European rivers. With this article we present a nationwide assessment of nitrogen and phosphorus loads that 18 large rivers in Greece receive with the purpose to assess variability among seasons, catchments, and river types and distinguish relationships between loads and land uses of the catchment. We employed an extensive dataset of 636 field measurements of nutrient concentrations and river discharges to calculate nitrogen and phosphorus loads. Descriptive statistics and a cluster analysis were conducted to identify commonalties and differences among catchments and seasons. In addition a network analysis was conducted and its modularity feature was used to detect commonalities among rivers and sampling sites with regard to their nutrient loads. A correlation analysis was used to identify major possible connections between types of land uses and nutrient loads. The results indicated that the rivers Alfeios, Strymonas, and Aliakmonas receive the highest inorganic nitrogen loads while the highest inorganic phosphorus loads were calculated for the rivers Strymonas, Aliakmonas, and Axios. Concerning the temporal variation of loads, inorganic nitrogen presented a peak on March and gradually declined until October when the dry period typically ends for most regions of Greece. Inorganic phosphorus loads had the highest average value in August and the lowest in October. Thus, our findings confirmed the presence of a typical seasonal variation in nitrogen loads that follows the seasonality in hydrology where high surface runoff during the wet months contribute to higher river discharges and higher nitrogen loads from the catchment. On the contrary, high phosphorus loads persisted during dry months that could be attributed to a dilution effect. Furthermore, the results imply a clear connection between agriculture and both nitrogen and phosphorus. Overall, this work presents extensive information on the nitrogen and phosphorus loads that major rivers in Greece receive that can largely aid water managers to adapt and revise basin management plans in accordance with agricultural management (e.g., which months farmers should reduce the use of fertilizers) with the purpose of meeting the environmental targets defined by the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Analysis of the presence of glyphosate in sediments from the hydrographic basin dam of the São João stream in the municipality of Porto Nacional, Tocantins

Agricultural production has been one of the activities that most affect the quality of fresh water, due to accelerated urbanization, as well as the growing agricultural production in the region such as corn and soy in order to meet the high consumption demanded by the population, such activities have influenced drastically hydrographic basin conditions due to the excessive use of pesticides. Among the consequences caused are soil erosion, silting, increased production of sediments as well as water turbidity. Through studies related to sediments, it was possible to notice that their structures retain most of the chemical products, through the processes of adsorption, infiltration, and sorption in the soil. This in fact resulted in a study to assess the quality of the São João stream hydrographic basin, which covers the city of Porto Nacional Tocantins, being the main source of surface supply. With the main objective of analyzing the manifestations of chemical products resulting from agricultural use through the collection of sediment samples from the São João stream dam to check the presence of glyphosate, in addition to soil particle size characterization, for particle size classification. From the results obtained in the laboratory, it was observed that the soil presented a high granulometric variation, which despite containing a small percentage of fines such as silt, most of the sample consists of medium sand, coarse sand and gravel responsible for 86.66 % of the total sample. The result obtained an average value of 0.02 μg / L. Then, the results were compared to the values specified by the environmental legislation, in its resolution 357/2005 of the National Environment Council. The values showed the manifestation of the herbicide present in the sample, contacting the vulnerability of water resources, as a result of the poor management of the hydrographic basin, in which the concentrations of agrochemical chemical glyphosate did not show results superior to those allowed by the CONAMA resolution 307/2005. However, due to the growing agricultural activity in the region, this must be periodically evaluated so that it does not reach alarming numbers, subsequently harming water quality.

Evaluation of the absorbance capacity of elements in meat effluent, and their mathematical models by using shrimp chitosan cross-linked glutaraldehyde

Effluent from abattoir industries containing metals ions is known to adversely affect the quality fresh water. Water pollution is a global concern and its effects are difficult to reverse. This study evaluates the efficiency of the use of the shrimp chitosan cross-linked with glutaraldehyde as an adsorbent for the removal of cations in poultry and red meat effluent. The effluent was collected from different abattoirs in the Free State Province in the month of September 2019. Analysis of the physiochemical parameters of both effluent water samples revealed average pH values of between 8.6 and 8.8, electric conductivity (EC) of between 321 and 188 mS/m, turbidity (NTU) values of between 410 and 520, chemical oxygen demand (COD) of between 38 and 259 mg/L and total dissolved solutes (TDS) values of between 1663 and 1813 mg/L. ICP-MS results of both effluent samples showed the presence of alkali (Na and K), alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) of less than 10 mg/L and transition elements (Cu, Ni, Fe, Cd, Mn and Zn) of ±5 mg/L. The shrimp chitosan cross-linked with glutaraldehyde was first tested on a certified reference material (CRM) to determine the traceability measurement. Results obtained from the CRM revealed an increased adsorption from Sr < K < Mn < Al < Mg < Fe < Na < Ni < Cu < Ca < Cd < Ba < Zn. Analysis of both eluents water from the red and poultry meat effluent samples shows between 55 and 70% of the alkali (Na and K) and alkaline earth metals (Ca and Mg) adsorbed. The obtained t-values (range −1.7 and 3.6) for each elemental analysis were acceptable at 95% confidence interval. Using experimental data new mathematical model were constructed for uptake of Mn, Fe and Zn from abattoir effluent via the adsorbent. For the % PA and % RM, the obtained date show fading memory process with a delay. Whereas CRM, untreated and treated PA and RM sample, a crossover behavior were observed. An exact solution suggested for each model and the decay rate were obtained. Overall stimulations done shows is in good agreement, showing highest removal values for Mn lowest for Zn metal. It was then suggested that, the developed mathematical model was useful for describing the adsorption of the above metals, which could also help in designing the proper way that effluents can be discharge from abattoir industries.

Combining Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Image Processing for Wastewater Treatment Plant Asset Inspection

Wastewater treatment plants are essential for preserving the water quality of freshwater and marine ecosystems. It is estimated that, in the UK, as much as 11 billion liters of wastewater are treated on a daily basis. Effective and efficient treatment of wastewater requires treatment plants to be maintained in good condition. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and image processing to be used in autonomous and automated monitoring systems. However, the combined use of UASs and image processing for wastewater treatment plant inspections has not yet been tested. This paper presents a novel image processing-UAS framework for the identification of failures in trickling filters and activated sludge facilities. The results show that the proposed framework has an accuracy of 95% in the detection of failures in activated sludge assets, with the accuracy ranging between 55% and 81% for trickling filters. These results are promising and they highlight the potential use of the technology for the inspection of wastewater treatment plants.

Seawater distillation using vacuum pumps and ultraviolet lights to improve desalination process and freshwater quality

Lack of clean water supply quantitatively because of 97% water in earth is seawater with 35% salinity. One effort that can be done to overcome the clean water crisis is through desalination of seawater to produce water with low salinity. Some of the desalination methods that ever existed were MSF (Multi Stage Flash Distillation) and Reverse Osmosis. However, both of these methods have high investment cost. Therefore, a cheaper and easier method to apply such as distillation is required. In this research, distillation system is made of stainless steel and aluminium combined with vacuum pumps and ultraviolet lights. The use vacuum pump can speed up the evaporation process of seawater. Ultraviolet lights function to degrade heavy metal pollutants and eliminate harmful bacteria. Tests carried out include evaporation rate and water quality. This technology can increase water productivity up to 2 times and water quality shows a decrease in some pollutant parameters including 99.7% TDS, 99.93% salinity, 100% total coliform, and heavy metals Fe of 96,1%, Cr of 90.33% and Zn of 98,9%, and pH of seawater being neutral from 7.5 to 6.9. The technology has the potential to be applied to the community.

Stream and Spring Water Evolution in a Rapidly Urbanizing Watershed, Austin, TX

AbstractQuantifying urban development impacts on fresh water quality and quantity is critical, especially as growing populations concentrate in urban centers and with climate change projections of increased hydrologic extremes. We investigate geochemical processes through which municipal supply and waste water, carbonate bedrock, and soils impact stream and spring water compositions within the Bull Creek watershed (Austin, Texas). This watershed exhibits a sharp geographic divide between urban and rural land. Urban and rural waters were assessed to quantify relative influences of municipal water on stream and spring water elemental compositions and 87Sr/86Sr values. Higher 87Sr/86Sr for samples from urban sites relative to rural sites can be accounted for by two processes: (1) water leakage from municipal infrastructure and/or irrigation or (2) ion exchange as precipitation infiltrates through soils with varying 87Sr/86Sr. Irrigated soils have higher 87Sr/86Sr than unirrigated soils, indicating that irrigated municipal water resets soil compositions and that process (1) is a dominant driver of urban stream and spring water evolution. Geochemical modeling results indicate that urban waters consist of 50% to 95% municipal water. Geochemical modeling further demonstrates the evolution of municipal water as it infiltrates as groundwater and undergoes water‐rock interaction. These results are compared with groundwater compositions on a regional scale to infer local flow paths and relative groundwater residences times of municipal water. This study provides a geochemical modeling framework that quantifies both the significance of municipal water on urban stream water and soil compositions and the role of municipal water within urbanized watersheds and aquifers.

Treatment and Recycling of Wastewater From Food Industry using Fixed-Bed Adsorption Treatment on the Tertiary Stage

Water pollution occurs when toxic pollutants of varying kinds (organic and inorganic) are directly or indirectly discharged into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove such potential pollutants. Today’s sources of these potential pollutants, which cause high deterioration of freshwater quality, are industrial waste discharge, and industrial waste disposal practices. Therefore, the development of wastewater treatment processes to alleviate water pollution has been challenging and demanding. Food wastewater was characterized using COD, DO, Turbidity, pH, TS, TDS, and TSS. Comprising a mixture of areas including physical, and chemical methods to remove various potential pollutants. In this study, coagulation, sedimentation, and adsorption treatment were used to remove the pollutants contained in wastewater and also the treated water recycled back to the food processing industry. In addition, Superpro Designer Software was used to design a water recycling system that successfully meets the requirements of the standard A Regulation on Malaysia Environmental Quality.

Climate Variability Induced Shifts in Nitrogen Loading from Terrestrial to Aquatic Ecosystems

Nitrogen is one of the critical nutrients regulating terrestrial and aquatic productivity, and is linked to degradation of water quality of freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide. The landscape patterns of stream nitrogen components, concentrations and loadings and their relationships with climate variability and landuse, were analyzed and quantified in this study. We used stream nitrogen concentration data collected at 2,125 sites and climate data at 301 weather stations during 1976 to 2005 in 30 eco-regions across British Columbia, Canada. While the patterns of stream nitrogen component, concentration, and loading distributions were found to be related to landscape patterns of climate variability, human activities, landuse, natural vegetation, and relief across British Columbia, the climate variability on both temporal a d spatial scales were found to be the dominant driver of variability in loading and concentrations of nitrogen. Elevated air temperature gradient across the landscape of British Columbia resulted in a significant increase in stream nitrogen loading from terrestrial into aquatic ecosystems. Precipitation, nitrogen deposition, population density and urban area also significantly affected the stream nitrogen components, concentrations and loadings. We suggest that climate change, especially shifts in temperature and precipitation, along with increased human activities tend to have important implications for loading of nitrogen from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems and associated water quality in aquatic ecosystems

Troubled Waters in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Blessed with an extraordinary abundance of freshwater, New Zealand faces complex governance challenges of simultaneously protecting public health, powering the country, bolstering its economy, and honoring obligations to its Indigenous population—all which are water-dependent. In this article, we discuss New Zealand’s water quality challenges, water governance structure, and analyzed the framing of its water issues and polices by the country’s two main parties and two key interest groups before and after a major contamination crisis in Havelock North, which caused widespread illness. While the 2016 Havelock North drinking water contamination crisis was illustrative of New Zealand’s laissez-faire approach toward freshwater quality and its impact on environmental and human health, we found different frames by the two major political parties about this fundamental resource. Examining this event as a catalyst, we consider its effect on framing and policy.

Riparian land use and stream habitat regulate water quality

Riparian land use is a key driver of stream ecosystem processes but its effects on water quality are still a matter of debate when proposing measures to improve freshwater quality. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of riparian land use on stream habitat and water chemistry, and to assess in what extent stream habitat also affects water quality. To that end, we selected eight reaches in the Ave River basin (northwestern Portugal) and compared longitudinal variations in water chemistry and stream habitat between reaches with different land use (urban, agricultural and natural), and between reaches with natural riparian areas and different habitats. Stream habitat was assessed using the Fluvial Functional Index, the HABSCORE, and the Riparian Forest Quality Index. Longitudinal variations in water chemistry were determined measuring differences in concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate and oxygen, and conductivity, pH and temperature between the downstream and the upstream ends of each reach. Nitrate concentration tended to decrease along reaches with more natural riparian areas and to increase along reaches with more urban and agricultural land uses. Longitudinal variations in water chemistry also differed between reaches with natural riparian areas, suggesting that water quality also depends on stream habitat. Moreover, longitudinal variation in water chemistry was proven a simple, useful and low-cost approach to assess the influence of land cover and stream habitat on water quality. Overall results demonstrated that both riparian land use and stream habitat influence water quality and that riparian forests are essential to reduce nutrient export to downstream ecosystems.

Effect of nanobubbles for improvement of water quality in freshwater: Flotation model simulation

Recently, nanobubbles (NBs) in flotation have been discussed as a highly promising technique for separation or remediation of water contaminants in the environmental field. This study performed model simulations using a flotation model (FM) with NBs and very highly hydrophobic small particles, such as sediments of freshwater containing inorganic particles (clay and silt) and plastic debris. This study examined and confirmed that the effect of NBs for remediation of particles depends on the size and number of bubbles, size and density of aggregates, time of aggregate formation, and so on. This study also confirmed the NBs’ features, such as the adjustment of their surface charge in electrolyte solutions as well as their affinity for hydrophobic surfaces leading to their stability. The features affect the attachment efficiency, which is estimated by calculating the surface interaction forces of hydrodynamics and surface chemistry. The aggregates formed by the attached NBs obtained very high formation efficiency (X) due to their very high attachment efficiency but very low separation efficiency (Y) due to their very slow rising velocity. In conclusion, the NBs may deteriorate the water quality instead of improving it because the aggregates formed by the NBs stay in the suspension for a long stagnation time. Therefore, further research is required to discover a more reasonable method for applying NBs with MBs in the field of freshwater treatment that causes a minimal adverse effect on the ecosystem and helps in optimal removal efficiency of the hydrophobic fine particles.

The Role of Land Use Types and Water Chemical Properties in Structuring the Microbiomes of a Connected Lake System.

Lakes and other freshwater bodies are intimately connected to the surrounding land, yet to what extent land-use affects the quality of freshwater and the microbial communities living in various freshwater environments is largely unknown. We address this question through an analysis of the land use surrounding 46 inter-connected lakes located within seven different drainage basins in northern Germany, and the microbiomes of these lakes during early summer. Lake microbiome structure was not correlated with the specific drainage basin or by basin size, and bacterial distribution did not seem to be limited by distance. Instead, land use within the drainage basin could predict, to some extent, NO2 + NO3 concentrations in the water, which (together with temperature, chlorophyll a and total phosphorus) correlated to some extent with the water microbiome structure. Land use directly surrounding the water bodies, however, had little observable effects on water quality or the microbiome. Several microbial lineages, including Cyanobacteria and Verrucomicrobia, were differentially partitioned between the lakes. Significantly more data, including time-series measurements of land use and water chemical properties, are needed to fully understand the interaction between the environment and the organization of microbial communities.

Scientists' warning to humanity on the freshwater biodiversity crisis.

Freshwater ecosystems provide irreplaceable services for both nature and society. The quality and quantity of freshwater affect biogeochemical processes and ecological dynamics that determine biodiversity, ecosystem productivity, and human health and welfare at local, regional and global scales. Freshwater ecosystems and their associated riparian habitats are amongst the most biologically diverse on Earth, and have inestimable economic, health, cultural, scientific and educational values. Yet human impacts to lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and groundwater are dramatically reducing biodiversity and robbing critical natural resources and services from current and future generations. Freshwater biodiversity is declining rapidly on every continent and in every major river basin on Earth, and this degradation is occurring more rapidly than in terrestrial ecosystems. Currently, about one third of all global freshwater discharges pass through human agricultural, industrial or urban infrastructure. About one fifth of the Earth's arable land is now already equipped for irrigation, including all the most productive lands, and this proportion is projected to surpass one third by midcentury to feed the rapidly expanding populations of humans and commensal species, especially poultry and ruminant livestock. Less than one fifth of the world's preindustrial freshwater wetlands remain, and this proportion is projected to decline to under one tenth by midcentury, with imminent threats from water transfer megaprojects in Brazil and India, and coastal wetland drainage megaprojects in China. The Living Planet Index for freshwater vertebrate populations has declined to just one third that of 1970, and is projected to sink below one fifth by midcentury. A linear model of global economic expansion yields the chilling prediction that human utilization of critical freshwater resources will approach one half of the Earth's total capacity by midcentury. Although the magnitude and growth of the human freshwater footprint are greater than is generally understood by policy makers, the news media, or the general public, slowing and reversing dramatic losses of freshwater species and ecosystems is still possible. We recommend a set of urgent policy actions that promote clean water, conserve watershed services, and restore freshwater ecosystems and their vital services. Effective management of freshwater resources and ecosystems must be ranked amongst humanity's highest priorities.

Precipitation, landscape properties and land use interactively affect water quality of tropical freshwaters.

Globally, conversion of pristine areas to anthropogenic landscapes is one of the main causes of ecosystem service losses. Land uses associated with urbanization and farming can be major sources of pollution to freshwaters promoting artificial inputs of several elements, leading to impaired water quality. However, how the effects of land use on freshwater quality are contingent on properties of the local landscape and climate is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of landscape properties (morphometric measurements of lakes and their catchments), precipitation patterns, and land use properties (extent and proximity of the land use to freshwaters) on water quality of 98 natural lakes and reservoirs in northeast Brazil. Water quality impairment (WQI) was expressed as a composite variable incorporating parameters correlated with eutrophication including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and Chlorophyll-a concentration. Regression tree analysis showed that WQI is mainly related to highly impacted "buffer areas". However, the effects of land use in these adjacent lands were contingent on precipitation variability for 13% of waterbodies and on surface area of the buffer in relation to the volume of waterbody (BA:Vol) for 87% of waterbodies. Overall, effects on WQI originating from the land use in the adjacent portion of the lake were amplified by high precipitation variability for ecosystems with highly impacted buffer areas and by high BA:Vol for ecosystems with less impacted buffer areas, indicating that ecosystems subjected to intense episodic rainfall events (e.g. storms) and higher buffer areas relative to aquatic ecosystem size (i.e. small waterbodies) are more susceptible to impacts of land use. Land use at the catchment scale was important for the largest ecosystems. Thus, our findings point toward the need for considering a holistic approach to managing water quality, which includes watershed management within the context of climate change.

Application of a programmed semi-automated Ulva pertusa bioassay for testing single toxicants and stream water quality

A toxicity test based on inhibition of reproduction in the green macroalga Ulva pertusa involves quantifying the change in thallus color as reproduction progresses. However, interpretation of this color change is reliant on the skill level of the examiner. This study aimed to validate a new toxicity test based on inhibition of reproduction in the green macroalga U. pertusa using a vital stain and programmed semi-automated analysis (using Image J) of the change in thallus color. The toxicity rank by inverse EC50 values was: irgarol (0.048 mg L−1) > Ag (0.132 mg L−1) > As (0.172 mg L−1) > simazine (0.378 mg L−1) > formaldehyde (0.442 mg L−1) > DCOIT (0.783 mg L−1) > ZnPT (3.556 mg L−1) > medetomidine (11.600 mg L−1) > phenol (29.316 mg L−1) > methanol (2,736 mg L−1) > ethanol (3,306 mg L−1). The sensitivity of the U. pertusa test to stream waters was similar to or lower than those of the commonly-used Lemna minor and Daphnia magna bioassays. The U. pertusa bioassay is sensitive to, and suitable for, testing various toxicants including metals, volatile organic compounds, herbicide, antifouling agents and phenol and can also be applied to testing freshwater quality after salinity adjustment.

The potential use of plant species within a Renosterveld landscape for the phytoremediation of glyphosate and fertiliser

In South Africa, fertiliser and herbicide pollutants resulting from agricultural practices indirectly lead to the degradation of surface freshwater and groundwater quality. Nitrogen and phosphorus, and glyphosate, derived from agricultural fertiliser and herbicide applications, respectively, contribute to watercourse toxicity. Adjacent to many of the surface freshwater systems are some of South Africa’s most productive agricultural lands, where natural ecosystems are converted to croplands, resulting in the degradation of natural vegetation and deterioration of freshwater quality. The critically endangered status of some Renosterveld vegetation types is the product of agricultural expansion, nutrient loading through fertilisation and the spraying of herbicides. A buffer of Renosterveld vegetation along river corridors may contribute to the remediation of agricultural pollutants prior to entering watercourses. The utilisation of wetland plants occurring within Renosterveld for agricultural pollutant extraction can increase river corridor biodiversity, creating indigenous refuges and facilitating habitat connectivity. A laboratory phytoremediation system was designed and constructed to investigate the pollutant-removal potential of indigenous species occurring in Renosterveld vegetation (amongst other areas), compared with commonly used invasive alien plants (IAP) in floating wetland designs. Five pollutant parameters – ammonia, nitrate, orthophosphate and two glyphosate concentrations – reflect environmental stresses on 14 wetland species naturally occurring within Renosterveld vegetation. Effluent analyses indicated significant removal efficiencies for the indigenous vegetation across both fertiliser and herbicide pollutants, with the two most effective species identified as Phragmites australis and Cyperus textilis, with 95.87% and 96.42% removal, respectively. All wetland species displayed greater pollutant removal than the unvegetated soil control and when compared to an IAP and palmiet assemblage, indicated similar pollutant-removal efficiencies, justifying their use as an acceptable alternative.&#x0D;