MARYLAND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS

MIPS Project Detail:

Maryland Aquatic Nurseries

Stormwater Nutrient Management Using Floating Rafts

Project #

3401

 | 

Round 

34

 | 

Aug 2004

Back to Projects Home

Company

Maryland Aquatic Nurseries

Jarrettsville

Harford

 County
, Maryland
  |  
Founded: 

1986

  |  

Company Description: 

Maryland Aquatic Nurseries grows aquatic plants and manufactures pond products. Since its inception in 1986, Maryland Aquatic Nurseries (MAN) has become a leader in the aquatics marketplace. In addition to being a plant nursery, MAN is an innovative designer and manufacturer of fine water garden products. The company, which employs 14 people, also holds a U.S. Patent on Floating Island Planters and Floating Wetlands.

MIPS Project

Round 

34

 - 

Aug 2004

Stormwater Nutrient Management Using Floating Rafts

Project #

3401

 | 

MIPS Round 

34

 | 

Starting Date: 

Aug 2004

MIPS Project Challenge:
MAN sought to determine the top nutrient-absorbing aquatic plants and the nutrient uptake potential of planted floating rafts compared to the traditional methods of planted shorelines for nutrient management in ponds. The company planned to recommend plant-stocking densities to treat storm water ponds.

Project Scope:
Andrew Lazur determined the nitrogen and phosphorus uptake potential of six freshwater aquatic plants within a floating raft system and compared these to traditional, soil-based planting. Lazur determined differences in nutrient uptake potential and the other plant production advantages of rafts, including growth rate. Water samples were analyzed for nitrogen and phosphorus levels using analytical services at Horn Point Laboratory. The three plant species with the greatest nutrient uptake were raised in floating raft and soil-based pots, and water nitrogen and phosphorus analysis of the three replicates was conducted and compared to the other treatments (floating raft and soil-based pots).

MIPS helped me prove the efficacy of using planted floating rafts as a means of reducing nutrient pollution in storm water ponds. It has since been proven in subsequent studies conducted by UMD that planted rafts also support denitrification in the root zone beneath the raft, further increasing nutrient reduction. The use of floating wetlands in storm water ponds is now a BMP in the five states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
-
Richard Schuck, Owner, Maryland Aquatic Nurseries

Results: 

The company was able to expand its product offerings to include environmental products and native aquatic plants for earthen and storm water ponds.

Maryland Aquatic Nurseries is one of the largest suppliers of aquatic plants on the East Coast.

Principal Investigator:

Andrew

 

Lazur

Director, Maryland Sea Grant College

Project Manager: 

Richard

 

Schuck

Owner

Technologies:

Aquaculture