Water Hyacinth Research Articles

Hydrochar Derived from Sewage Sludge and Water Hyacinth and Its Characterization

Population and urbanization increase the sewage generation. Sewage treatment plant (STP) generates the sewage sludge. Agricultural runoff and sewage water discharge into water bodies proliferates the growth of water hyacinth and creates environmental issues. Managing the sewage sludge and water hyacinth are difficult task because of high water content, environmental concerns, regulatory measures and high operational cost. Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) converts the wet biomass into condensed solid product called hydrochar at moderate temperature range of 180 – 250°C under auto generated pressure. Through HTC process, the sewage sludge and water hyacinth were mixed and converted into hydrochar @ temperature of 200℃ and 4h resident time with L/S ratio of 9:1. The produced hydrochar showed desired functional groups viz., CH – methyl groups, C-O-C – alcohol groups, esters, ethers and Oxygenic functional groups (-C=O, -OH, -CO-O, C-O-C) with particle size of 494.8 nm, BET surface area of 369.70 m2 g-1, Zeta Potential of -27.9 mV. The hydrochar recorded slightly acidic pH (5.8) with appreciable levels of C (24.4%), N (2.51%), P (0.44%), K (0.98%), Ca (1.24%), Mg (0.68%). These properties of sewage sludge and water hyacinth derived hydrochar exhibits its potential use in agricultural and environmental applications.

Sorption capacity of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms for zinc removal from electroplating industry wastewater.

Various industrial operations in the dye, fertilizer, pesticide, battery, mining, and chemical industries have been associated with releasing heavy metals in wastewater, such as lead, zinc, copper, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and mercury. These metals are dangerous to aquatic life as well as to humans, who may consume them directly or indirectly. Therefore, before being released into open water and land resources, it is necessary to minimize the concentration of toxic ions below the discharge limit. This study used Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms to remove zinc from wastewater from the electroplating industry in a constructed wetland. Experimental investigations were conducted for removing zinc ions from electroplating industry wastewater using various process parameters such as nutrient dosages, dilution ratios, potential of hydrogen ions, biomasses, and contact times. The outcome of this study revealed that the maximum zinc removal percentage in electroplating industrial wastewater was found for the optimum nutrient dosages of 60g, dilution ratios of 10, potential hydrogen ion levels of 8, and biomass amounts of 100g. The maximum zinc removal by Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms was found to be 88.3 ± 0.6 and 93.4 ± 0.4% at the optimum parameter values for the electroplating industry wastewater and the aqueous solution, respectively, against the optimum contact time of 22days. This study suggests using this phytoremediation technology to remove all pollutants from industrial wastewater in general, not just wastewater from the electroplating industry.

Potential of Water Hyacinth Infestation on Dam Jaikwadi, Maharashtra A Prediction Using a GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Technique

Potential of Water Hyacinth Infestation on Dam Jaikwadi, Maharashtra A Prediction Using a GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Technique

Effect of Bolus Thickness-Based Base Eichhornia crassipes Powder (Water Hyacinth) on Radiotherapy Bolus Homogeneity

Bolus radiotherapy aims to make the radiation dose more homogeneous, and increase the surface dose to the skin. Exploration of alternative materials for substitute mixtures that are relatively safer is needed to reduce the weaknesses in the use of plasticine mixtures. To develop the basic ingredients for making bolus using biopolymers in water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This research was conducted using the method of Research and Development. The suitability of the physical characteristics of the bolus (homogeneity judged by CT number; Relative Electron Density is calculated by a formula ?b;% surface dose is obtained from TPS (Treatment Planning System) in the test and the 3 variations of the thickness (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm and 1.5 cm). The feasibility of the bolus product was determined based on the flexibility of the texture and resistance to cold temperatures. Result: Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) can be used as a reference for alternative bolus materials in radiotherapy due to the response of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) to radiation Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes-based bolus has same RED (Relative Electron Density) value as soft and solid tissue in all thickness variations and has a surface dose value of ±100% for all thickness variations. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) based bolus is homogeneous against radiation and can increase the dose surface so that water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has benefits and can be used as an alternative bolus material in radiotherapy

Fabrication and Physico-mechanical Characterization of Short Natural/Synthetic Fiber–Reinforced Hybrid Composites: Effects of Biodegradation and Chemical Aging

The main goal of this study was to develop eco-friendly and low-cost multiple short natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites with the hybridization of comparatively high-strength glass fibers. The hybrid composites were fabricated via hand lay-up by using short jute, silk, water hyacinth, and glass fibers for the reinforcements and unsaturated polyester resin for the thermoset polymer matrix. The reinforcing fibers were randomly oriented, and five types of hybrid composites were fabricated with different types of fiber content (wt.%). The performance of the manufactured hybrid composites was assessed by tensile, flexural, and impact testing, as well as water uptake (%). It was revealed that composites with high glass fiber content (wt.%) exhibited optimum mechanical performance in most cases, while poor moisture resistance performance was exhibited for the hybrid composites containing higher natural fibers (wt.%). The hybrid composite samples were also aged in soil medium (biodegradation) for 25 days and different chemical solutions (alkaline, acidic, and salt) for 10 days. After biodegradation, the drop of tensile strength (TS) and tensile modulus (TM) was revealed to be approximately 38–61 and 58–72%, respectively. On the other hand, after chemical aging, the drop of TS and TM was exhibited to be approximately 49–76% and 51–65%, respectively, for alkali solution aging; 42–75% and 29–76%, respectively, for acid solution aging; and 43–59% and 51–65%, respectively, for salt solution aging.

EFFICIENT WASTEWATER TREATMENT THROUGH INTEGRATED WATER HYACINTH SYSTEMS: ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS IN CONCRETE

This research focuses on enhancing water quality for concrete construction by utilizing treated wastewater from wetlands. The study employs a dual-stage treatment process involving charcoal and aggregate layers for primary treatment, followed by water hyacinths for secondary treatment. Investigating water hyacinths’ ability to absorb nutrients and contaminants from wastewater is a unique aspect of the study, offering a potential solution for soil and water remediation. Water hyacinths, especially stems and leaves, act as natural filters, effectively indicating heavy-metal pollution in tropical regions. The primary goal is heavy-metal removal from wastewater, allowing treated-water use in concrete production at varying proportions (20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 %, and 100 %). Silica fume at 15 % concentration is incorporated to enhance the concrete’s durability. Concrete specimens undergo thorough preparation and mechanical property evaluations, compared to conventional M20-grade concrete. The results reveal improvements in mechanical properties, particularly with 80 % treated wastewater in the mix. The dual-stage treatment process removes heavy metals, and the inclusion of silica fume enhances the concrete’s durability and resistance.

CH4 control and nitrogen removal from constructed wetlands by plant combination

Global warming trend is accelerating. This study proposes a green and economical methane (CH4) control strategy by plant combination in constructed wetlands (CWs). In this study, a single planting of Acorus calamus L. hybrid constructed wetland (HCW-A) and a mixed planting of Acorus calamus L. and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms hybrid constructed wetland (HCW-EA) were constructed. The differences in nitrogen removal performance and CH4 emissions between HCW-A and HCW-EA were compared and analyzed. The findings indicated that HCW-EA demonstrated significant improvements over HCW-A, with NH4+-N and TN removal rates increasing by 21.61% and 16.38% respectively, and CH4 emissions decreased by 43.36%. The microbiological analysis results showed that plant combination promoted the enrichment of Proteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria and Bacillus. More nitrifying bacteria carrying nxrA genes and denitrifying bacteria carrying nirK genes accelerated the nitrogen transformation process. In addition, the absolute abundance ratio of pmoA/mcrA increased, reducing the release of CH4.

Investigation of the Desalination Capacity of Activated Carbon Materials from Water Hyacinth (<i>Eichhornia crassipes</i>) Stems

To reduce the hazards brought by water hyacinth, many applications of water hyacinth have been studied and continuously expanded. The large biomass of water hyacinth is applied in many fields such as for wastewater treatment, wastewater purification, biological raw material sources, animal feed production, medicine, antioxidants, agriculture, and household appliances. This research investigates the desalination capacity of freshwater hyacinths, raw materials from water hyacinths, biochar, and activated carbon materials from water hyacinth stems. Results have shown that the suitable temperature for charring fresh water hyacinth is 420 °C. The activated carbon from the water hyacinth stems with a BET surface area of 200.4 ± 1.9 m²/g can be desalinated under the conditions of 0.4 g of activated carbon mass, 15 min of reaction time, 2.0 ppt of salt concentration, and at neutral pH. In contrast, raw materials from water hyacinths and biochar were unable to desalinate. This study evaluates the desalination ability of the activated carbon material of water hyacinth.

Phytoremediation potential of Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes, and Typha latifolia for chromium with stimulation of secondary metabolites

Anthropogenic activities have significantly polluted the natural environments all over the world. Leather processing industries release toxic heavy metals through their effluents posing a great threat to the environment. Chromium (Cr) is the major component of tannery effluents. We designed this experiment with the aim to remediate Cr from effluents of tanneries through phytoremediation. We selected three native macrophytes i.e. Pistia stratiotes, Eichhornia crassipes, and Typha latifolia to grow in a set of Constructed Wetland systems (CWs) with a continuous supply of tannery wastewater. T. latifolia was the most efficient phytoremediator of these macrophytes as it reduced the Cr content by 96.7%. The effluent after passing through the CWs containing T. latifolia showed only 0.426 mg/L Cr content. All macrophytes showed an enhanced phytochemical activity such as total antioxidant activity (TAA), total reduction potential (TRP), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH) substantially. The activation of antioxidant mechanism may have contributed towards robust defense system of these plants for survival in excessive Cr contaminated media. Also, these macrophytes showed a positive relationship in reducing Cr content from tannery wastewater. Results of this study could help in effective sustainable management of aquatic environments contaminated with metal pollutants from human activities.

Hydrophobicity and performance analysis of beverage and agricultural waste torrefaction for high-grade bio-circular solid fuel

Torrefaction is recognized as a high-performance technology for converting raw biomass into high-grade solid biofuel. In this study, hydrophobic and ANOVA analyses were employed to investigate torrefied brewery waste, palm kernel shell, and water hyacinth residue. Herein, the torrefaction experiments were conducted at four temperatures (180, 230, 280, and 330 °C) for a residence time of 30 min. The biomass type and temperature were crucial in determining the optimum conditions for three response parameters: energy yield (EY), specific energy consumption (SEC), and hygroscopic reduction equilibrium (HRE). Hydrophobicity was assessed by measuring the contact angle (CA), and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) to represent hygroscopic behavior. The ANOVA results indicated that temperature had the most significant impact on the response parameters. Optimal torrefaction of brewery waste at 180 °C yielded an EY of 82.05 %, SEC of 81.88 kWh/kg, and HRE of 23.2 %. These findings highlight the advantages of biomass-derived torrefaction products in waste utilization, transport, and storage of biomass-derived torrefaction products. Furthermore, this study demonstrates an efficient method for enhancing the fuel quality of biomass, contributing significantly to the bio-circular green economy concept.

STUDY ON MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF WATER HYACINTH CEMENT COMPOSITES

This study investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of a novel cement composite incorporating water hyacinth, an abundant and under-utilized aquatic plant. The water hyacinth fibers were treated and mixed with cement to create a composite material. Various ratios of water hyacinth to cement were tested to optimize the composites properties. The mechanical properties, including compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength were evaluated using standard testing methods. The thermal properties were assessed by measuring the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of the water hyacinth cement composites. The test results indicate that the water hyacinth cement composite exhibits promising mechanical strength and improved thermal insulation compared to conventional cement. This research suggests that water hyacinth, often considered a problematic invasive species, could be effectively utilized in sustainable construction materials.

Effects of Water Hyacinth (Eichhnornia Crassipe) on Carbon and Phosphorus Mineralization in Wetland Soils

This work investigated the kinetics of Carbon and Phosphorus Mineralization in Wetland Soils amended with water Hyacinth (Eichhnornia Crassipe). The work studied the effects of water hyacinth also known as Eichhornia Crassipe on Carbon and Phosphorus Mineralization in Delta Wetland soil. The kinetics of Carbon and Phosphorus Mineralization was studied using Pseudo Second Order Equation. The Respiration Assay of the organic matter (Water Hyacinth) incorporated leads to emission of carbon in the form of carbon (iv) oxide and greater degree of microbial activities than those occurring in the control Soils after initial stage of incubation. Reaction Rates decreases with time in the amended Soil. In all the Soil samples, initial rapid phase of mineralization was clearly observed. Phosphorus Mineralization increased gradually with time in the amended soil as a result of high degree of organic matter and the pH of the soils.

Phytoremediation of perfluorochemicals in Abuja municipal area, Nigeria: A comprehensive exploration of progress, viability, and, constraints

Phytoremediation, utilizing plants to address pollution, especially perfluorochemicals (PFCs), emerges as a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution. Key mechanisms like phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, and phytodegradation are employed for remediating diverse pollutants. While successful globally, PFCs pose unique challenges, requiring tailored strategies. Abuja, Nigeria, facing environmental challenges, can benefit from phytoremediation. Vetiver Grass, Sunflower, Indian Mustard, and Water Hyacinth are selected for their PFC remediation abilities. Essential infrastructure includes contaminant analysis tools, monitoring equipment, greenhouse facilities, and experimental plots. Results indicate varying efficacy among plant species. This study emphasizes the importance of laboratory facilities for in-depth research. Phytoremediation proves valuable for Abuja's environmental concerns.

Pengaruh Abu Janjang Kosong Kelapa Sawit dengan Kompos Eceng Gondok terhadap Perubahan Sifat Kimia Tanah Lahan Pasang Surut

Marshes that are affected either directly or indirectly by the ebb and flow of seawater are known as tidal wetlands. The lack of soil nutrients like low pH, N, P, and K, as well as the high solubility of Al and Fe, which can poison plants, is the problem with tidal wetlands. The goal of the study was. to find out how the application of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) ash and water hyacinth compost changed the pH, organic C, N, P, and K levels of the soil in tidal wetlands. The randomized complete design (CRD) method was used in this pot experiment, with two factors: 1) four applications of oil palm EFB ash, and 2) four applications of water hyacinth compost. Oil palm EFB ash had doses of 0 ton.ha-1, 1 ton.ha-1, 1.5 ton.ha-1, and 2 ton.ha-1, while water hyacinth compost had doses of 0 ton.ha-1, 2 ton.ha-1, 3 ton.ha-1, and 4 ton.ha-1, respectively. 32 experimental units were created when 16 treatment combinations were replicated twice. After four weeks of incubation, the soil was submerged in water to a height of 5 cm. The application of oil palm EFB ash and compost made from water hyacinths had significant effects on pH, N-NO3ˉ, available P, and K, but not organic C or N-NH4+. The findings suggest that the application of water hyacinth compost and oil palm EFB ash can raise the pH, organic C, and levels of N, P, K in the soil.

Hematological parameters of sheep and goats fed diets containing various amounts of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes).

A major global barrier to increased animal output is nutrition. The use of aquatic plants, which were previously considered to be waste and needed a lot of labor to eliminate, has recently come to light due to the lack of feed during the dry season in the majority of tropical regions of Africa. The objectives of this study were therefore to see how different dietary Eichhornia crassipise inclusion rates affect the hematological indicators of Ethiopian Doyogena sheep and Woyto-Guji goats. Blood samples were taken from the jugular veins of 12 Doyogena sheep and 12 Woyto-Guji goats in a 2 × 4 randomized crossover design with two animal species, four diets, and four random periods (15 - day adaption period followed by a 7- day experimental diet in each period). The dietary inclusion rates E. crassipise were 0, 25, 50, and 75% that was used as a replacement for commercial concentrate mix diet in the treatment groups. The data was analyzed using the SAS software programme PROC GLM, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between hematological markers. The hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCHC) results revealed substantial, RDW-SD, and WBC differences between animal species (P < 0.001). Sheep had greater WBC, Hb, RBC, PCV, RDW-SD, and RDW-CV levels, while goats had higher MCH and MCHC values (P < 0.001). For the analyzed hematological measures, the Pearson's correlation coefficient ranged from low to strong in terms of positive and negative associations (P < 0.05). Since all hematological indicators were closer to those of clinically healthy native Ethiopian sheep and goat breeds, feeding water hyacinth to sheep and goats up to a 75% inclusion level in diets without producing sickness may provide a remedy for adverse feed shortages.

Statistical Optimization and Kinetic Studies of Water Hyacinth Stem–Based Activated Carbon Adsorbent for Synthetic Textile Dye Effluent Treatment

Statistical Optimization and Kinetic Studies of Water Hyacinth Stem–Based Activated Carbon Adsorbent for Synthetic Textile Dye Effluent Treatment

Removal of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from aqueous solution by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): Uptake, accumulation, and translocation

Although Eichhornia crassipes, commonly known as water hyacinth, has been widely used in wastewater treatment, further investigations are still needed to explore the removal efficiency of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from the aqueous environment using this floating aquatic plant. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted to assess accumulation, bioconcentration factors (BCFs), translocation factors (TFs), and removal rates of eight PFAAs by water hyacinth. The obtained results indicated that all PFAAs, including five perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with chain lengths C4-C8 and three perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) with C4, C6, and C8, were readily accumulated in water hyacinth. Throughout the duration of the experiment, there was a noticeable increase in PFAA concentrations and BCF values for different plant parts. For the root, PFAAs with more carbon numbers showed a higher uptake than the shorter homologues, with PFSAs being more readily accumulated compared to PFCAs with the same carbon number in the molecules. In contrast, the levels of long-chain PFAAs were comparatively lower than those of short-chain substances in the stem and leaf. Notably, PFAAs with less carbon numbers, like PFPeA, PFBA, and PFBS, showed a remarkable translocation from the root to the stem and leaf with TFs >1. For the whole plant, no significant correlation was found between BCFs and organic carbon-water partition coefficients (Koc), octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow), membrane-water distribution coefficients (Dmw), or protein-water distribution coefficients (Dpw). The removal rates of PFAAs ranged from 40.3 to 63.5 % throughout the three weeks of the experiment while the removal efficiencies varied from 48.9 % for PFHxS to 82.6 % for PFPeA in the last week.

The Influence of Chemical Fertilizers on the Effectiveness of Biochar in Mitigating Cadmium Mobility in Soil

The focus of this study was to explore how various fertilizers influence the movement of cadmium in soil treated with biochar. The research utilized a strong acid sandy loam soil from Chanthaburi Province, naturally rich in organic matter with moderate cation exchange capacity and low nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfate, salinity and chloride levels. The soil was purposely contaminated with 50 mg kg-1 of cadmium and treated with biochar derived from water hyacinth through pyrolysis at 450°C for an hour. This biochar displayed moderate alkalinity, high organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and cation exchange capacity, but low nitrogen content. Analytical techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were employed to study the surface characteristics of the biochar. The cadmium adding soil was blended with 10% biochar and various chemical fertilizers at a 0.04% ratio. Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) extraction was used to assess the bioavailability of cadmium to plants in the soil, while sequential extraction was conducted to identify the different forms of cadmium present in the soil. The study revealed distinct effects of different fertilizers on cadmium mobility. Fertilizers like 46-0-0 and 0-3-0 caused a transformation of cadmium from stable to less stable forms, increasing the bioavailability of cadmium to plants. Conversely, fertilizers such as 15-15-15, 0-0-50, 0-0-60, and 0-52-34 shifted cadmium from less stable to more stable forms, resulting in decreased cadmium extracted by DTPA. Other fertilizers showed no significant impact on cadmium mobility in the soil. A stepwise linear regression analysis highlighted that nitrogen content, potassium content, and electrical conductivity were influential factors affecting cadmium mobility.

Thermo-Mechanical, Structural, and Biodegradability Properties of Water Hyacinth and Sheep Wool Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Polypropylene Composites

Hybrid fiber reinforcements can incorporate a wider array of qualities than single fiber reinforcement. Instead of synthetic fibers, applying plant and animal-based organic materials as reinforcement in polymer matrix offers certain benefits, such as low price, greater availability, and better biodegradability. In the present study, water hyacinth fiber and sheep wool fiber reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites were fabricated at three different (5, 10, and 15 wt.%) fiber loading. The effect of fiber loading on thermo-mechanical, structural, and biodegradability properties was subsequently investigated. The manufacturing process of the composite material was carried out with utmost consideration for biodegradability, since polypropylene, the primary constituent, is not inherently biodegradable. The insertion of fibers into the polypropylene matrix showed variance in properties of different aspects. The tensile strength of the composites displayed a downward trajectory (from 25 to 10 MPa) with a 15% increase in fiber loading due to voids, and fiber dispersion, while impact strength exhibited an opposite trend (from 25 to 32 J/m). Except for hardness, all the mechanical properties degraded slightly after the employment of the reinforcement. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed the movement of typical peaks and the appearance of new peaks demonstrating the bonding between the fiber and the matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal degradation temperature of the composites improved at maximum fiber loading. On the other hand, the goal of achieving biodegradability has been succeeded by the implementation of a combination of plant and animal-based fibers as biodegradability of the manufactured composites thrives with increasing fiber content for the presence of cellulosic bonds, as evident from the FTIR spectrum. Even though some properties of the hybrid composite declined slightly with increasing fiber loading, the other characteristics, including service temperature and biodegradability experienced a prospective advancement. Hence, the 15% fiber-loaded composite was found to be a potential candidate in terms of slightly high temperature and environment-friendly applications.

Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium on KOH Activated Carbon Derived from Water Hyacinth Leaf Coated with Polyaniline/Polypyrrole

KOH-Activated carbon derived from Water Hyacinth (KOH-WHL-AC) was prepared and coated with Polyaniline-Polypyrrole (PANI/PPY) copolymer for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from wastewater. The prepared material was characterized by FT-IR and XRD. The effect of pH, contact time, dosage, and initial Cr(VI) concentrations were optimized using batch adsorption experiment. The adsorption kinetics was found to fit better to pseudo-second-order than the pseudo-first order model. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were analyzed using linear fitting. It was found that the Langmuir adsorption model gives the best fit indicating that the monolayer adsorption of Cr(VI) on the KOH-WHL-AC. The highest adsorption capacity of 409.83 mg/g was achieved at pH 1.0, and equilibrium was achieved within 420 min. The reuse efficiency of the synthesized material was also found to be greater than 54% for five consecutive cycles. Thermodynamic studies have also been carried out and the adsorption was found to be spontaneous and endothermic