Soil moisture distribution analysis of subsurface flow constructed wetland using capacitive soil moisture sensor and its relation with Ipomoea reptans Poir growth

Abstract

Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (SFCW) is commonly used as secondary treatment for septic tank with vegetation on it as biofilter, this made water stream out from the installation more environmentally friendly. This research aimed to study the distribution of soil moisture and its correlation to water spinach (Ipomoea reptans Poir.) growth in SFCW using Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor (CSMS). This research was done by monitoring soil moisture and water spinach growth parameters at the sand layer of SFCW in Srimartani Village, Piyungan District, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. This SFCW is connected with waste treatment system to collect wastewater from a house with three family members. Soil moisture monitoring was conducted using CSMS which installed on four different areas using two different depths variation (0.1 and 0.2 m) in 6 m2 of the SFCW. Ipomoea reptans Poir growth parameters was monitored in the stem length. The result proves that soil moisture content at distance of 0.25 m from the outlet pipe position was higher than soil moisture obtained at 0.75 m. Moreover higher soil moisture content has positive correlation with stem length of Ipomoea reptans Poir.