Hydrological Sciences-Joumal~des Sciences Hydrologiques, 45(3) June 2000

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Book reviews
Constructed Wetlands in the Sustainable Landscape by C. S. Campbell & M. H. Ogden Published 1999 by J. Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 101580012, USA; 270 pp; price US$85/50; ISBN 0 471 10720 4 The subject matter of this book covers the border area of a number of disciplines such as water and environmental sciences, landscape architecture and sanitary engineering. It is devoted to planning, design and operation of constructed wetlands, which are a kind of hydrobotanic sewage treatment plants, beingas stated by the authorsan alternative to facilities made of concrete and steel. Constructed wetlands follow the principle of sustainable development. Waste water treatment proceeds with utilization of natural biological processes with minimum use of energy and mechanical equipment. They can function for a long time without being serviced, so the maintenance costs are low. Moreover, constructed wetlands serve a number of other functions, being particularly beneficial to wildlife conservation and enhancing biodiversity. It is possible to fit constructed wetlands into the environment in such a way that they are integrated with wildlife habitats, reserves, buffer and protection zones. Constructed wetlands can be used not only for domestic but also industrial wastewater treatment, stormwater renovation and removal of a range of specific pollutants such as heavy metals, PCB, TNT, pesticides etc. The reader is introduced to the philosophy of sustainable development, with a focus on landscape ecology and functioning of natural and artificial biotopes serving treatment of sewage and stormwater. The biological foundations of the processes are discussed, enabling functioning of wetlands in conditions of heavy load of organic matter, nutrients and different toxic compounds. The role of dominating plant species, involved in such processes, is reviewed. Much attention is paid to the comparison of traditional methods of sewage treatment with the natural systems, and the limitations (e.g. low temperature effects) are clearly stated. Design of constructed wetlands is discussed, including consideration of local conditions (e.g. wastewater flow and its characteristics, discharge permit requirements, existing sewer systems, local topography, soil, climate, groundwater conditions). On top of the theoretical presentation, these issues are illustrated by concrete examples, with discussion of local specifics, problems and cost issues. Useful algorithms are offered for the determination of the needed area of constructed wetlands, allowing the required reduction of the BOD value, suspended solids and nitrate and ammonia nitrogen to be achieved. Guidelines for designing systems for renovation of stormwater and industrial, mining and agricultural wastewater are also given. It is shown that constructed wetlands serve multiple purposes: stormwater treatment, enhancement of the landscape value, decorative and recreation roles in urban areas and environmental awareness raising. Water in architectural landscape may link beauty and aesthetics with the function of treatment of household effluents. Guidelines are given for the design of small water bodies in architectural landscape, including explanation of processes, choice of appropriate vegetation and fish and necessary equipment. The book addresses a broad audience: water and environmental engineers, planners, landscape architects, developers and public officials responsible for planning and environment protection. Written in a clear way, it is accessible to a wider audience than engineers and scientists, and can be a useful complement in studying. Indeed, anyone interested in sewage treatment, water protection, landscape planning and ecology may find this book useful. Specialists may benefit from a new, broader perspective on their professional problems. Ryszard Goldyn Department of Water Protection Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, Poland