Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Open Access Master's Report
Degree Name
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering
Advisor 1
Robert M. Handler
Committee Member 1
Brian D. Barkdoll
Committee Member 2
Jennifer G. Becker
Committee Member 3
Michelle E. Jarvie-Eggart
Abstract
A full-scale floating treatment wetland was implemented in a wastewater treatment lagoon in Copper Harbor, Michigan. Copper Harbor is a small, rural community located in a cold climate. Many studies have focused on the performance of floating treatment wetlands in mesocosm studies in warmer climates, but there is not a lot of research conducted on the feasibility and performance of full-scale floating treatment wetlands in wastewater lagoons, specifically in cold climates. The 2024 treatment season was the first season with the floating treatment wetland implemented in the wastewater lagoon. A preliminary assessment of the cost and environmental impacts of a full-scale floating treatment wetland system using the Beemats technology system was analyzed using a life cycle assessment and life cycle cost assessment. The results of these analyses showed that although the floating treatment wetland system had a relatively high upfront cost ($28,500) and additional labor requirements (approximately 200 hours a year), the carbon emissions of these systems are relatively low. The Beemats and the plants in the system released approximately 1,020 kg CO2eq emissions in 2024. With the plants able to mitigate approximately 968 kg CO2eq emissions, the net emission for the entire FTW system is 50 kg CO2eq. The plants are able to mitigate 95% of emissions from the FTW system. In future work, the nutrient uptake capacity of these systems should be calculated to ensure that they are capable of sufficient nutrient removal. This will help determine if floating treatment wetlands can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration, the reduction of aluminum sulfate addition, or electricity use.
Recommended Citation
Browne, Erin, "LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT AND LIFE CYCLE COST ASSESSMENT OF A FLOATING TREATMENT WETLAND IN A WASTEWATER LAGOON LOCATED IN COPPER HARBOR, MICHIGAN", Open Access Master's Report, Michigan Technological University, 2025.