Although trace amounts of these elements can be essential for growth and development of organisms, they can be toxic at higher concentrations. The major removal mechanisms of micronutrients from wetlands includes binding to sediments or particulates, incorporation into precipitated insoluble complexes, and uptake by the biological community. The latter is not considered in this analysis, but is addressed in another analysis. The ability of organic matter to form stable complexes with metal ions has been well established. The image shown to right is a 1995 SPOT satellite image overlaid with National Wetlands Inventory wetland polygons that have been color coded to reflect the results of the analysis.
Yellow areas indicate wetlands that have a low capacity to sorb micronutrients or heavy metals.
Pink areas indicate wetlands that have a moderate capacity to sorb micronutrients or heavy metals. Red areas indicate wetlands that have a high capacity to sorb micronutrients or heavy metals. Blue areas indicate wetlands for which there are insufficient data to analyze. Please click on the map to see a larger view. Those wetlands that rate as moderate to high in capacity may be particularly important in protecting water quality in the region.