Use of Cyperus alternifolius and Eichhornia crassipes for removing heavy metal from shrimp farm effluent in wetlands

Abstract

Abstract Water quality deterioration by nutrient enrichment from shrimp farming has been a concern in recent years, especially heavy metal in water resource. Phytoremediation technology using aquatic weed in wetlands increasingly applied to remediate the eutrophic waters. Objectives of this research were to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of both Cyperus alternifolius and Eichhornia crassipes in lab scale constructed wetland in reducing heavy metal as iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) using phytoremediation technologies in 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. The results showed that the survival rates (SVR) of both aquatic plants in the experiment was the highest (100%) after 14 days of treatment. As a result of Zn, Fe, Cu concentration in control and experimental plot tended to decrease from start time to 14 days, concentration of iron were 0.0 mg/l in both the experiment and control plot at 14 days, the experiment plot showed effectively used in reducing a concentration of zinc and copper between the day 1 and day 14. To conclude, the results indicated that both plants could be used in wetlands engineered for iron and copper remediation.