Hydroponic rhizofiltration of dairy wastewater by Coleus Scutellarioides &Portulaca Oleracea

Abstract

Rhizofiltration through floating hydroponic process (FHP) is a cost effective and prospective technique for the treatment of liquid effluents. Coleus scutellarioides and Portulaca oleracea are effective macrophyte for phytoaccumulation because of their morphological and physiological properties. A limited study has been performed with macrophyte in treating dairy wastewater. An initiative has been taken with a table scale experimental study to evolve a bio-raft based Portulaca oleracea and Coleus scutellarioides for treatment of dairy effluent with non-aerated and aerated on raw dairy effluent. First time in research the Coleus scutellarioides and Portulaca oleracea have been grown hydroponically in combination with aeration. Amidst the treatment system, aerated Portulaca oleracea floating hydroponic process shows maximum removal efficiency in phytoaccumulation of raw dairy wastewater. The study outcomes exhibited a remarkable reduction in TSS (79.43 %), TDS (64.36 %), BOD (82.36 %), and COD (81.86 %) from aerated system. Study found that the nutrient contents such as total phosphorous (75.55 %), phosphate (74.24 %) and total nitrogen (74.67 %) are also accumulated by Portulaca oleracea efficiently. Nutrients accumulation attributed to the growth of Coleus scutellarioides and Portulaca oleracea. The study presents a low cost promising future for fostering a sustainable technology for treatment of dairy effluent.