Pilot scale constructed wetlands for Arctic communities

As Arctic communities evolve and populations become more concentrated and urbanized, there is a growing need to develop environmentally sustainable technologies and resource management practices. Wastewater and water treatment methods are a particular challenge for northern communities. Disparities in access to safe water treatment methods have been shown between southern/urban populations and northern/Inuit/remote communities. Current wastewater treatment systems are rudimentary in the north because of constraints caused by remoteness, climate, and socio-economic factors. Constructed wetland systems for wastewater treatment are an example of a sustainable, environmentally sound technology available for use in polar regions. This project is developing new engineering and technology solutions to assist Northern communities to adapt to changing demographic patterns and associated public sanitation and related health issues. The current disparity in safe, economical, and effective wastewater treatment is due to a number of factors including logistical issues such as construction and operational limitations, and limited capacity within communities including the requirements for skilled labour. Constructed wetlands present a viable alternative option to some of these problems. Researchers at the Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment, Fleming College, are studying the performance, efficacy and functioning of existing natural wetland treatment systems in six communities in Nunavut and examining the chemical and microbial processes occurring in treatment wetlands in cold climates. We are also collaborating with the United Nations Environment Programme to create software that can model treatment wetlands in cold climates and serve as a design and educational tool in the Canadian Arctic and other cold climate regions throughout the world. This project also includ es a significant training component through the hiring and training of northern community research assistants to conduct sampling, assist with lab analysis and monitor the pilot wetland cells. It will also contribute to capacity building through targeted community oriented workshops and training of highly qualified personnel.随着北极社区不断发展，人口愈发集中并趋于城市化，开发环境可持续的技术与资源管理模式的需求日益增长。废水与水处理方法是北部社区面临的一项特殊挑战。研究显示，南部城市人口与北部因纽特人聚居的偏远社区之间，在安全水处理方法的可及性方面存在显著差距。受限于偏远的地理位置、严酷的气候以及社会经济因素，北部地区当前的废水处理系统仍较为简陋。用于废水处理的人工湿地（Constructed wetland）系统，便是一种可应用于极地地区的可持续、环境友好型技术。本项目正开发全新的工程与技术解决方案，以帮助北部社区应对不断变化的人口结构，以及由此引发的公共卫生与相关健康问题。当前安全、经济且高效的废水处理方案存在供给差距，其成因涵盖多方面因素：包括建设与运维限制等后勤难题，以及社区内熟练劳动力短缺等能力不足的问题。人工湿地可为上述部分难题提供可行的替代方案。弗莱明学院（Fleming College）替代废水处理中心（Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment）的研究人员，正在努纳武特（Nunavut）地区的六个社区中，对现有自然湿地处理系统的性能、功效与运作机制展开研究，并分析寒冷气候下处理湿地中的化学与微生物过程。我们还与联合国环境规划署（United Nations Environment Programme）合作开发软件，该软件可对寒冷气候下的处理湿地进行建模，并可作为加拿大北极地区乃至全球其他寒冷气候区域的设计与教育工具。本项目还包含重要的培训模块：将雇佣并培训北部社区的研究助理，协助开展采样、实验室分析以及试点湿地单元的监测工作。项目还将通过针对性的社区导向研讨会以及高素质人才培训，助力当地能力建设。