Tidal coastal wetlands for wastewater management

Abstract

Tackling the global water scarcity problem and inadequate clean water supply, caused majorly by various upsurging anthropogenic factors, must be addressed decisively by establishing a sustainable framework for effective wastewater treatment and management. The tidal coastal wetland is a cost-effective and sustainable treatment ecosystem that is valuable in managing secondary treated effluents, as documented. It also ensures the delivery of safe water into the environment compared to conventional treatment methods. They have been labelled as one of the most productive ecosystems with high economic importance. However, factors such as climate change, sea-level rise, nutrient inputs and sediment delivery have impacted negatively on this wetland hence resulting in continuous degradation and loss. Therefore, this chapter first provides an overview of the various forms of tidal coastal wetlands and their economic importance. Next, case and modelling studies supported some key information on the essence of tidal coastal wetlands in the effective wastewater management process.