Existing comment:
Tidal Wetlands
"Conservation is a state of harmony between man and the land."
-- American wildlife conservationist, Aldo Leopold
Wetlands systems on the river's edge are an important part of the river's ecosystem. Wetlands filter out pollutants and provide important habitat for many birds, fish, small mammals, reptiles and other living things. Wetlands also provide runoff areas that help control flooding. Both natural wetlands, such as the cattail (typha) marsh across the river, and the manmade wetlands like those planted on this side, can help make the Christina River a cleaner, better place for animals and people.
This tidal wetland was created as part of the development program of Riverfront Wilmington through the cooperative efforts of the Riverfront Development Corporation, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
Wetlands plants filter and slow the water flowing past them, allowing particles and solids carried by the flow to settle on the river bottom.
Contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and petroleum products, and excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous are trapped in the sediment of the river.
Wetlands plants absorb some of these chemicals and excess nutrients, filtering and removing them from the water as they grow, while other contaminants are broken down through chemical and physical processes in the sediment. |