Low-Tech Alternatives for the Rehabilitation of Aquatic and Riparian Environments

BASÍLICO, GABRIEL; DE CABO, LAURA; FAGGI, ANA; MIGUEL, SEBASTIÁN

Phytoremediation: Management of Environmental Contaminants

Springer

Año: 2016; p. 349 - 364

The rehabilitation of degraded riparian environments seeks to recreate naturalecosystems by the reintroduction of native plant species, among other actions.This reintroduction could be conducted from seed, saplings, and planted rollsand blankets. The advantages of the planted rolls and blankets are the easeof field installation and a rapid establishment of vegetation due to a betterprotection of the roots. In addition, rolls and mats reduce erosion, stabilizeslopes, and retain sediments. The creation of wetlands in the coastal zoneand the use of artificial vegetated floating islands can contribute to improvingwater quality. The establishment of buffer areas adjacent to the shore zone actsas a biological filter retaining diffuse pollution associated with surface runoff.In this chapter are described some low-tech alternatives and strategies that canbe used in the rehabilitation of riparian zones, including a case study in theMatanza-Riachuelo River (Argentina), one of the most polluted in the world.