Nutrients and organics removal from slaughterhouse wastewater using phytoremediation: A comparative study on different aquatic plant species

Abstract

Abstract Conventionally treated wastewater disposal is a challenging task especially for developing countries as nutrients and some organic matters remain present in the effluent. A controlled floating pond is a suitable option for tropical countries such as India to reduce nutrients and untreated organic matters. In this study, three different locally available aquatic plant species were taken to cultivate in wastewater effluent and their respective growth and nutrients removal efficiency were compared. The three plants namely, Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Duckweeds (Lemna minor), Filamentous algae were cultivated in three identical tubs, with a depth of 20 cm, having 12L wastewater effluent. The growth parameter of plants and wastewater quality parameters was investigated at the interval of five days for 30 days. It was found that duckweeds are more effective in the removal of TKN by 37.67%, N-NO3 − by 83.33%, and N-NO2 - by 35.33%. On the other hand, filamentous algae were found more effective in the removal of COD by 49.36% and PO4 3− by 57.18%. The results from this study will assist in the selection of plants species for aquatic ponds based on the required treatment.