Phytoremediation of wastewater toxicity using water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

This paper elucidates the phytoremediation potential of water hyacinth and water lettuce on the reduction of wastewater toxicity. Acute toxicity tests were performed in an aquarium with a population of Sarotherodon melanotheron, contaminated by different concentrations of wastewaters before and after phytoremediation with Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes. Lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of the fish's population obtained during 24 hours of exposures were determined. COD, BOD, ammonium, TKN and PO₄^3? concentrations in wastewaters were of 1850.29, 973.33, 38.34, 61.49 and 39.23 mg L^?1, respectively, for each plant. Phytoremediation reduced 58.87% of ammonium content, 50.04% of PO₄^3?, 82.45% of COD and 84.91% of BOD. After 15 days of the experiment, metal contents in treated wastewaters decreased from 6.65 to 97.56% for water hyacinth and 3.51 to 93.51% for water lettuce tanks. Toxicity tests showed that the mortality of fish exposed increased with increase in concentration of pollutants in wastewaters and the time of exposure. Therefore, the highest value of LC₅₀ was recorded for fish subjected to 3 hours of exposure (16.37%). The lowest rate was obtained after an exposure of 20 to 24 hours (5.85%). After phytoremediation, the effluents purified by Eichhornia crassipes can maintain the fish life beyond 24 hours of exposure.     

A high–performance compact filter system treating domestic wastewater

A new compact wastewater treatment system for use in single houses has been constructed in eastern Norway. The system is based on the principles of sub-surface flow constructed wetlands using various types of Filtralite as filter media. It consists of a septic tank followed by an aerobic biofilter succeeded by an upflow saturated filter. The aerobic biofilter is essential to remove organic matter and achieve nitrification, while the upflow filter polishes the wastewater and removes microorganisms and phosphorus. During the first 3 years of operation, the system has show stable and high removal with the following average values measured from the outlet of septic tank to the outlet of the upflow filter: 97.0%-BOD₇, 30%-N, 99.4%-P, and 70.8%-SS. No Escherichia coli or somatic coliphages have been detected in the effluent. Due to considerable removal of organic mater, nutrients, and pathogens, the effluent will not negatively affect water and soil ecosystems. The system requires low maintenance and is designed to remove phosphorus for 5 years before renewal of the upflow filter media. When saturated with phosphorus, the media is a suitable fertilizer for plant production.     

Assessing water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassopes) and lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) effectiveness in aquaculture wastewater treatment

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) were analyzed to determine their effectiveness in aquaculture wastewater treatment in Malaysia. Wastewater from fish farm in Semanggol Perak, Malaysia was sampled and the parameters determined included, the pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrite phosphate (PO4(3-)), nitrate (NO(3-)), nitrite (NO(-2)), ammonia (NH3), and total kjedahl nitrogen (TKN). Also, hydroponics system was set up and was added with fresh plants weights of 150 +/- 20 grams Eichhornia crassipes and 50 +/- 10 grams Pistia stratiotes during the 30 days experiment. The phytoremediation treatment with Eichhornia crassipes had pH ranging from 5.52 to 5.59 and from 4.45 to 5.5 while Pistia stratiotes had its pH value from 5.76 to 6.49 and from 6.24 to 7.07. Considerable percentage reduction was observed in all the parameters treated with the phytoremediators. Percentage reduction of turbidity for Eichhornia crassipes were 85.26% and 87.05% while Pistia stratiotes were 92.70% and 93.69% respectively. Similar reductions were observed in COD, TKN, NO(3-), NH3, and PO4(3-). The capability of these plants in removing nutrients was established from the study. Removal of aquatic macrophytes from water bodies is recommended for efficient water purification.     

The enhanced removal and phytodegradation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in wastewater using controllable water hyacinth

Abstract

Surfactant is an emerging and popular pollutant in both rural and urban areas and its treatment efficacy by phytoremediation is rarely reported. Water hyacinth was utilized to clean anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in water and its growth and physiological activities were regulated with Chromolaena odorata L. extract. SDS was effectively removed from the water and then transferred to both root and aerial part of water hyacinth. Part of SDS was converted into low-molecular weight degradation intermediates by the hydrogen abstraction reactions in water hyacinth. The removal efficiency and the degradation of SDS were evidently strengthened accompanying with enhanced root activity and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in the presence of Chromolaena odorata L. extract. Meanwhile, the growth of water hyacinth was effectively controlled, exhibiting low-growth rate (≤0.036?g.day^?1). Furthermore, the root was considered as the major organ to degrade SDS, which was correlated to the remarkable increase in APX activity and a slight increase in root activity under both SDS and extract stress. In conclusion, water hyacinth managed with Chromolaena odorata L. extract should be proposed as an eco-friendly biotechnical treatment for the surfactant.     

Phytoremediation of domestic wastewaters in free water surface constructed wetlands using Azolla pinnata

Two constructed wetlands, one with Azolla pinnata plant (CW1) and the other without (CW2) for treating domestic wastewaters were developed. Fifteen water parameters which include: Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD₅), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Nitrogen (TN), Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH₃N), Turbidity, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), and heavy metals such as Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The experiments were conducted in two (dry and wet) seasons simultaneously. Results showed considerable reductions in all parameters and metals including Zn in CW1 compared with CW2 in the two seasons considered while Pb and Mn were not detected throughout the study. Zn concentration levels reduced significantly in both seasons just as removal efficiencies of 70.03% and 64.51% were recorded for CW1 while 35.17% and 33.45% were recorded for CW2 in both seasons. There were no significant differences in the removal efficiencies of Fe in both seasons as 99.55%, 59.09%, 88.89%, and 53.56% were recorded in CW1 and CW2 respectively. Azolla pinnata has proved effective in domestic wastewater phytoremediation studies.     

Production of biogas from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart) (Solms) in a two-stage bioreactor

A two-stage rumen-derived anaerobic digestion process was tested for the conversion of water hyacinth shoots and a mixture of the shoots with cowdung (7:3) into biogas. Under conditions similar to those of the rumen and loading rates (LR) in the range of 11.6–19.3g volatile solids (VS) l–1d–1 in the rumen reactor, the degradation efficiencies were 38% for the shoots and 43% for the mixture. The major fermentation products were volatile fatty acids (VFA) with a maximum yield of 7.92mmolg–1 VS digested, and biogas with a yield of 0.2lg–1 VS digested. The effect of varying LR, solid retention time (SRT) and dilution rates on the extent of degradation of the water hyacinth–cowdung mixture was examined. Overall conversion of the substrate was highest at the loading rate of 15.4gVS.l–1d–1. Varying the retention times between 60 and 120h had no effect on the degradation efficiency, but a decrease was observed at retention times below 60h. The overall performance of the reactor was depressed by changing the dilution rate from 0.5 to 0.34h–1. By applying a LR of 15.4VS. l–1d–1, a SRT of 90h and a dilution rate of 0.5h–1 in the rumen reactor, and connecting it to a methanogenic reactor of the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket type, 100% conversion efficiency of the VFA into biogas with a methane content of 80% was achieved. The average methane gas yield was 0.44lg–1 VS digested.     

Distribution of cytokinin-like activity in different plant parts of the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes

Cytokinin-like activity in extracts of leaf laminae, petioles, shoots, roots and flowers of young plants of the water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes S. was analyzed following Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography using the soybean callus bioassay. In all plant parts analyzed, two prominent peaks of cytokinin activity having elution volumes similar to zeatin and zeatin riboside were detected. Putative cytokinin gluco-side-like activity was detected only in leaves and flowers. The cytokinin complements of the leaves and the roots were qualitatively different. It would appear that cytokinins supplied by the roots are metabolized in the leaves or certain cytokinins are synthesized in the leaves themselves. The possible significance and distribution of cytokinins in different plant parts in relation to roots is discussed.     

Phytoremediation of domestic wastewater using a hybrid constructed wetland in mountainous rural area

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of hybrid constructed wetlands (HCWs) in a rural mountainous area. The experiment was set up in small rural community named Tidili within the region of Marrakech, Morocco. The wastewater treatment plant was composed of three vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) working in parallel, followed by two parallel horizontal-subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HFCWs), with hydraulic loading rates of 0.5 and 0.75 m³/m².d, respectively. The two units were planted with Phragmites australis at a density of 4 plants/m². Wastewater samples were collected at the inlet of the storage tank and at the outlet of the whole system (VFCWs, HFCWs) stages. The main removal percentages of total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand measured in a 5-day test (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus were respectively 95%, 93%, 91%, 67%, and 62%. The system showed a very high capacity to remove total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci (4.46, 4.31, and 4.10 Log units, respectively). Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to model the quality parameters (TSS, BOD₅, COD) and total coliforms and fecal streptococci. Based on the obtained results, the ANN model could be considered as an efficient tool to predict the studied phytoremediation performances using HCWs.     

Suitability of Dicloster acuatus MH013435 and Kalenjinia gelatinosa MH012185 for growth in Garcinia cambogia washwater effluent with efficient nutrient removal

Abstract

The present study investigates the suitability of growing Dicloster acuatus MH013435 and Kalenjinia gelatinosa MH012185 in Garcinia cambogia washwater for biomass production and nutrient removal. In recent years, the wastewater effluent treatment with microalgae is gaining importance since it serves multiple purposes including CO₂ sequestration, production of biofuel feedstock and value-added biochemicals in addition to wastewater treatment. Contaminated washwater is generated at a significant quantity during extraction of hydroxycitric acid from G. cambogia and it represents a serious environmental concern when discharged without proper processing. However, this G. cambogia washwater can be used as a low-cost source of nutrients for microalgal growth. The two microalgal species D. acuatus MH013435 and K. gelatinosa MH012185 demonstrated robust growth in washwater and achieved maximum biomass concentration of 0.68 and 0.63?g/L dry weight. The nitrate was removed to an extent of 98.5 and 99.6% whereas chloride removal was 72 and 80.5%, sulfate concentration got reduced by 98 and 98.7% and phosphate got reduced to 95 and 92% for D. acuatus MH013435 and K. gelatinosa MH012185, respectively. The results indicate the suitability of D. acuatus MH013435 and K. gelatinosa MH012185 in treating G. cambogia washwater with efficient nutrient removal.     

Effects of 2,4-D on mature and juvenile plants of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms)

The effects of various concentrations of the herbicide 2,4-D were investigated on two vegetative forms of water hyacinth including juvenile and mature forms. The results obtained suggest that efficient chemical control of water hyacinth may be best applied at the early stages of vegetative development of the water hyacinth, i.e. at the juvenile phase. This would require the use of 2,4-D at a concentration of 60 000 ppm (2.2 kg/ ha) which equals to half the rate of 2,4-D normally used for control of water hyacinth in the Sudan. The lower rate of 2,4-D not only means a considerable reduction in quantity and cost of the consumed herbicide but also a substantial minimisation in the level at which pollution may build up in the White Nile of the Sudan.     

Acarine regulators of water hyacinth in Kerala (India)

Screening of the mite fauna on water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes, at 25 localities throughout Kerala (India) yielded a list of 21 phytophagous species from nine families. Distribution of mites at these localities and type of injury produced suggested that Oligonychus biharensis and Orthogalumna terebrantis warrant further study. In an experimental set-up the injury caused by these mites was quantified. Infestation by Ol. biharensis lead to reduced photosynthesis by the host (significant loss in chlorophyll content). Injurious effects of Or. terebrantis involved leaf mining by the developing instars leading to wilting of the leaves resulting in reduced dry weight. The relative merits of the two species as potential control agents of water hyacinth are discussed.     

Treatment and utilization of wastewater in the Beijing Zoo by an aquatic macrophyte system

This paper deals with a nutrient cycling experiment in the Beijing Zoo that uses macrophytes as the added link to make a purification system. The whole system consisted of macrophyte cultivating area and no macrophyte area. By making up the different functional groups of aquatic plants, a multilevel cycling network is formed, which has a rather high purification capability. During the experimental period, the water quality of the Waterfowl Lake and the Peony Pavilion Lake improved significantly, with total nitrogen and total phosphorus reductions of up to 58 and 38%, respectively. Other parameters also confirmed the good purification effect of this system. The economic and social benefits met the requirement of the original design.     

Phytoremediation of mercury- and methyl mercury-contaminated sediments by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Phytoremediation has the potential for implementation at mercury- (Hg) and methylHg (MeHg)-contaminated sites. Water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) were investigated for their ability to assimilate Hg and MeHg into plant biomass, in both aquatic and sediment-associated forms, over a 68-day hydroponic study. The suitability of E. crassipes to assimilate both Hg and MeHg was evaluated under differing phosphate (PO4) concentrations, light intensities, and sediment:aqueous phase contamination ratios. Because aquatic rhizospheres have the ability to enhance MeHg formation, the level of MeHg in water, sediment, and water hyacinth was also measured. Hg and MeHg were found to concentrate preferentially in the roots of E. crassipes with little translocation to the shoots or leaves of the plant, a result consistent with studies from similar macrophytes. Sediments were found to be the major sink for Hg as they were able to sequester Hg, making it non-bioavailable for water hyacinth uptake. An optimum PO4 concentration was observed for Hg and MeHg uptake. Increasing light intensity served to enhance the translocation of both Hg and MeHg from roots to shoots. Assimilation of Hg and MeHg into the biomass of water hyacinths represents a potential means for sustainable remediation of contaminated waters and sediments under the appropriate conditions.     

The preparation of High caloric fuel (HCF) from water hyacinth by deoxy-liquefaction

The aim of this study was to prepare HCF (High caloric fuel) from WH (water hyacinth) by deoxy-liquefaction and investigate the composition of HCF. The experiment was performed in a closed reactor at different final temperatures (573 K, 623 K, 673 K and 723 K) with the heating rate of 60 K/min. At 623 K, the maximum yield (12.6 wt.%) of HCF with heating value of 43.8 MJ/kg was obtained. Alkanes, benzene derivatives and phenol derivatives were the dominant components in HCF. The main component in gaseous product was CO₂ (93.2 mol%), which meant that the oxygen in WH was released mainly in the form of CO₂. In addition, the elemental analysis of solid char suggested that the residue content of hydrogen was too low to produce more HCF. So, deoxy-liquefaction mentioned in this article was an effective way to remove oxygen and utilize C and H in WH to the greatest extent.     

Feeding impact of the planthopper Taosa longula (Hemiptera: Dictyopharidae) on water hyacinth,Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae)

Taosa longula Remes Lenicov (Hemiptera: Dictyopharidae), a planthopper native to South America, is a candidate for the biological control of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), a serious weed worldwide. Biological control requires agents that are not only specific but also effective. Damage caused by sap-sucking insects is difficult to assess. In this work we designed an experimental and analytical procedure to evaluate the potential damage of T. longula on water hyacinth. The damage that T. longula causes to the clonal reproduction, biomass production, and growth of water hyacinth was studied through a paired greenhouse trial with floating cages. The performance of the plant, starting from two plants per treatment, was evaluated at different insect densities (5, 10, 15 and 20 nymphs per cage) until all the nymphs moulted to adults. The tests showed that individual growth and biomass production of water hyacinth was reduced due to the effect of the insect feeding above five nymphs per cage. The number of new plants produced by clonal reproduction was only significantly different above 15 nymphs per cage. These results suggest that this planthopper could be an effective agent for the biological control of water hyacinth.     

Growth of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) in the middle Paraná River (Argentina)

The productivity of water hyacinth in the middle Paraná River was measured at three initial biomass levels by means of periodic harvesting of plants contained in 2 m² floating baskets. The measuring period extended between August 1981 and July 1982. Initial biomass densities were 2, 5 and 10 kg (fw) m^–2.Compared with inner island ponds, flowing waters connected to the main river showed better conditions for water hyacinth growth. The duration of the growth period was some 30% longer than in island ponds, probably due to the relatively warmer river waters. Productivity ranged between 108 and 164 g (fw) m ^–2 d^–1 (annual average) for the lower and higher initial biomass values, respectively.     

Ecological and socio‐economic impacts of invasive water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): a review

1. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants and is known to cause significant ecological and socio‐economic effects. 2. Water hyacinth can alter water clarity and decrease phytoplankton production, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, heavy metals and concentrations of other contaminants. 3. The effects of water hyacinth on ecological communities appear to be largely nonlinear. Abundance and diversity of aquatic invertebrates generally increase in response to increased habitat heterogeneity and structural complexity provided by water hyacinth but decrease due to decreased phytoplankton (food) availability. 4. Effects of water hyacinth on fish are largely dependent on original community composition and food‐web structure. A more diverse and abundant epiphytic invertebrate community may increase fish abundance and diversity, but a decrease in phytoplankton may decrease dissolved oxygen concentrations and planktivorous fish abundance, subsequently affecting higher trophic levels. 5. Little is known about the effects of water hyacinth on waterbird communities; however, increases in macroinvertebrate and fish abundance and diversity suggest a potentially positive interaction with waterbirds when water hyacinth is at moderate density. 6. The socio‐economic effects of water hyacinth are dependent on the extent of the invasion, the uses of the impacted waterbody, control methods and the response to control efforts. Ecosystem‐level research programmes that simultaneously monitor the effects of water hyacinth on multiple trophic‐levels are needed to further our understanding of invasive species.     

Mineral nutrient demands of the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) in the White Nile

The possibility that the stunted growth of the water hyacinth in Bahr el Ghazal river in Sudan is influenced by nutrient elements is considered. Greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the effects of deficiency and mineral nutrient additions on the growth of this plant. The water hyacinth was found to grow at a wide range of nutrient levels. Maximum growth was recorded at 21 mg l^–1 N, 62 mg l^–1 P, and 0.60 mg l^–1 Fe.     

凤眼莲对含银废水中银的富集量及其应用研究

1987—1989年进行了关于凤眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes)等水生植物对含银废水中银的富集量及其应用问题的研究。在国外,Wolverton测定了化学废水中凤眼莲根部对银的富集量为113ppm(占干物重),而本项研究在含银废水浓度为80—160ppb中生长的凤眼莲根部对银的富集量达12251ppm(占干物重),其富集系数F_x为102194,灰分含银量为4.125％,灰分富集系数F_x′为343750。并成功地从净化含银废水的凤眼莲植物残体(约6kg灰分)中提炼和回收白银105g。这不仅具有重要的科学意义,而且也为其它含贵稀金属的废水净化及回收有用金属提供了有益的经验。     

污水地下渗滤系统脱氮效果及动力学过程

建立了模拟污水地下渗滤过程的中试系统,重点考察了水力负荷对系统脱氮效率的影响情况,建立了描述地下渗滤系统微生物脱氮过程的动力学模型.结果表明:地下渗滤系统脱氮效果好,抗水力负荷冲击能力强,处理最佳水力负荷0.125m3· m-2· d-1,出水中氮浓度低于《城市污水再生利用——景观环境用水水质》标准( GB/T 18921-2002).地下渗滤系统硝化过程符合一级动力学模型NE=Noe-0.4812t,温度是影响硝化速率的主要因素,两者的关系是KT=0.2218×1.035(T-20);出水硝态氮浓度与水力停留时间之间呈负指数关系,可描述为C=16.3475e-0.2548t,碳源是引起反硝化速率变化的主要因子.在基质层垂直深度65 cm处二次补加生活污水,反硝化速率常数由0.0355提高到0.0488.强调地下渗滤系统的污水净化功能而忽视其生态服务功能,是系统运行中普遍存在的认识误区,过高的水力负荷不利于硝化-反硝化反应的顺利进行.地下渗滤系统运行应采取适宜的水力负荷方式,促进硝化-反硝化作用.