Application of aquatic plants alone as well as in combination for phytoremediation of household and industrial wastewater

Abstract

Present study was undertaken to establish the potential of the local weeds of Pakistan (Islamabad, Rawalpindi) such as water lettuce (WL), alligator weed (AW), pennywort (PW), and duckweed (DW) as phytoremediation agents individually and in combinations (COMB) for the removal of pollutants from the wastewater. The results showed that the treatment of effluent with DW and PW resulted in 100% and 81% removal of lead (Pb) from industrial and the treatment AW resulted in 100% removal of Pb from household wastewater. Treatments PW and COMB of the industrial wastewater showed 81% removal of zinc (Zn), and treatment of household wastewater with AW resulted in 100% removal of Zn. Treatment with WL resulted in 88% and 77% of chloride removal from industrial and household wastewater, respectively. A 28% removal of ammonia was obtained with PW treatment of industrial wastewater, while AW treatment resulted in 100% ammonia removal and 85% removal efficiency for the phosphate. The COMB treatment resulted in 51% removal of sulfate from household wastewater, and WL resulted in 79% removal of potassium from industrial wastewater. In conclusion, all the weeds resulted in significant removal of contaminants from wastewater; however, alligator weed exhibited the best phytoremediation potential compared to other treatments.