GB2557165A

GB2557165A - Reed bed maintenance method

Info

Publication number: GB2557165A
Application number: GB1615666.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emms Derrick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-09-14
Filing date: 2016-09-14
Publication date: 2018-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-14
Also published as: GB2557165B; GB201615666D0

Abstract

A method for the maintenance of managed wetlands, such as those used for mine water run off treatment, involving cutting the reeds in at least a portion of the reed growth area from up to 18 inches above to within 18 inches below the water level without substantially damaging the rhyzomes (rhizomes), and preferably retaining a complete transverse portion of reeds in the reed bed enables minimal disturbance of sedimented ochre and improved recovery rate of the reeds whilst keeping the reed bed in operation.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Derrick Emms

Park Terrace, Kirknewton, West Lothian, EH27 8AB, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Derrick Emms (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Ellis IP Ltd

Newbyth House, East Linton, East Lothian, EH40 3DU, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

A01G 22/00 (2018.01) A01D 44/00 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

CN 106957128 A CN 106941866 A

CN 104828949 B SE 001450440 A1

Cress Water Solutions, 2015, Do reed-beds require a lot of maintenance?, reedbeds.co.uk, [online], Available from: http://www.reedbeds.co.uk/page/doreed-beds-require-a-Iot-of-maintenance.php [Accessed 22/03/2018] (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA01D, A01G, C02F Other: WPI EPODOC Internet (54) Title of the Invention: Reed bed maintenance method Abstract Title: Reed Bed Matainence Method (57) A method for the maintenance of managed wetlands, such as those used for mine water run off treatment, involving cutting the reeds in at least a portion of the reed growth area from up to 18 inches above to within 18 inches below the water level without substantially damaging the rhyzomes (rhizomes), and preferably retaining a complete transverse portion of reeds in the reed bed enables minimal disturbance of sedimented ochre and improved recovery rate of the reeds whilst keeping the reed bed in operation.

Reed Bed Maintenance Method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to the field of reed bed maintenance and renewal. In particular, it is concerned with a method and system of reed bed maintenance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reed beds are increasingly widely used to clean or scrub water streams or water run-off, for example in SUDS (surface urban drainage systems) solutions by allowing uptake of contaminants by reeds or settlement of contaminants in the wetlands. Similarly reed beds are used, in free surface water wetlands in particular, in cleaning or scrubbing mine water to prevent iron or ochrerich polluting streams and rivers. Reed beds are also commonly used in off-grid sewage systems.

A particular problem in reed beds, especially in free surface water wetlands for use in mine water clean-up, is that over time the increasing growth of the reeds coupled with significant sedimentation from ochre-rich waters can shorten the effective lifetime of the reed beds and lead to clogging up of the reed beds There is no established process or mechanism for maintaining reed beds, other than taking them out of service, emptying them, re-planting and reinstating them. Improper maintenance, particularly with highly effective reed beds in treating ochre rich waters, can lead to increased incidence or likelihood of pollution incidents.

The present inventor has defined a process for the maintenance of reed beds, especially free surface water wetlands, that address the aforementioned problems.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

There is a need for improvements in the maintenance of reed beds and free surface water wetlands.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method for the maintenance of reed beds especially free surface water wetlands.

-1 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for the maintenance of managed wetlands comprising established reed beds, the method comprising for at least a portion of the reed growth area, cutting of reeds from up to 18 inches above water level to within 18 inches below water level without significantly damaging rhyzomes of the reeds from about water level or within 18 inches of water level without removing rhizomes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is concerned with a method for the maintenance of managed wetlands comprising established reed beds, the method comprising for at least a portion of the reed growth area, cutting of reeds from up to 18 inches above water level to within 18 inches below water level without significantly damaging rhyzomes of the reeds from about water level or within 18 inches of water level without removing rhizomes.

Preferably, the reeds are cut from up to 6 inches above water to within 18 inches below water level.

Preferably, the reeds are cut from water level to within 18 inches below water level.

Preferably, the reed are cut within 12 inches, preferably within 6 inches below water level.

Preferably, at least a portion comprises up to three-quarters of the reeds in a reed bed and wherein at least a complete transverse portion of established reeds is retained.

Preferably, the at least a portion comprises up to one half of the reeds in a reed bed.

-2Preferably, the at least a portion comprises at least one quarter of the reeds and preferably up to one third of the reeds.

Preferably, a plurality of longitudinally separated complete transverse portions of established reeds is retained.

Preferably, maintenance comprises a multi-year process in which different portions of reeds in the reed bed are removed in different years according to the process above.

Preferbaly, a reed cutting is scheduled in a multi-year process so as to retain an immediately downstream barrier section of uncut reeds that has not previously been maintained or is in at least its second year of maintenance recovery.

Preferably, the cutting is carried out with an amphibious vehicle fitted with a cutting mechanism and preferably a collection mechanism.

It is believed that overly aggressive removal of reeds has a number of potentially negative impacts in the mine water treatment environment 15 disturbance of sedimented ochre, reduced recovery rate of reeds and reduced ochre filtration benefit of cut reeds.

Scheduling the reed cutting in a multi-year process so as to retain an immediately downstream barrier section of untouched reeds that has not previously been maintained or is in at least its second year of maintenance recovery enables the reed bed to continue to operate without risking pollution incidents.

Unlike most free water surface wetlands, the containment of large quantities of ochre over an extended period is critical. Thus, scheduling maintenance of reed beds to minimise disturbance, carry over and loss of ochre is a key aspect of minimising risk of pollution incident.

There is further provided a maintenenance schedule, a kit, a computer programme, for management of reed bed maintenance schedules at multiple sites.

-3 The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for the maintenance of managed wetlands comprising established reed beds, the method comprising for at least a portion of the reed growth area, cutting of reeds from up to 18 inches above water level to within 18 inches below water level without significantly damaging rhyzomes of the reeds from about water level or within 18 inches of water level without removing rhizomes.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reeds are cut from up to 6 inches above water to within 18 inches below water level.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reeds are cut from water level to within 18 inches below water level.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reed are cut within 12 inches, preferably within 6 inches below water level.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least a portion comprises up to three-quarters of the reeds in a reed bed and wherein at least a complete transverse portion of established reeds is retained.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least a portion comprises up to one half of the reeds in a reed bed.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the at least a portion comprises at least one quarter of the reeds and preferably up to one third of the reeds.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of longitudinally separated complete transverse portions of established reeds is retained.

-5

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein maintenance comprises a multi-year process in which different portions of reeds in the reed bed are removed in different years according to the process of any one of

5 claims 1 to 8.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein reed cutting is scheduled in a multi-year process so as to retain an immediately downstream barrier section of uncut reeds that has not previously been maintained or is in at least its second year

10 of maintenance recovery.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting is carried out with an amphibious vehicle fitted with a cutting mechanism and preferably a collection mechanism.

-6Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB 1615666.3