New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is using floating, vegetated wetlands as wave attenuators in Jamaica Bay.
These floating treatment media are part of a pilot project which aim to protect the decreasing marsh shorelines. The 2-year pilot program will cost approximately half a million and was installed in September 2015.
In the 1800s, Jamaica Bay has 16,000 acres of green marshland but, due to pollution and rise in sea-level, only 800 to 1,000 acres of marsh remain today.
Marshes are among the most productive ecosystems on the planet. They filter nitrogen and phosphorus from the water; provide fish habitat; store carbon; and protect against storm surges.
SPEL floating wetlands are easy to install and maintain.
It is also effective in:
- Reduction in Bio-chemical oxygen demand
- Removal of TSS
- Reduction in faecal coliforms
- Reduction in phosphorus
- pH stabilization