Performance of Selected Plants Based Growth on Landfill Leachate Treatment Using Wetland Application

Abstract

Introduction: This research was conducted to process untreated leachate using plants in artificial wetlands. The aim was to obtain plant selection criteria based on the relative growth rate (RGR) and removal efficiency (Re) of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Methods: The methodology used leachate containing about 1,000 mg/L and 5,000 mg/L BOD and COD, respectively. Three plants, Typha angustifolia, Cyperus papyrus, and Canna indica, were tested. The research stages included a range finding test for 14 days and definitive leachate experiments for the three plants for 36 days. Results: The results revealed that three types of plants could process leachate without treatment for 36 days after acclimatization (DAA). The determining period was 0-12 DAA with a decrease in BOD and COD concentrations in the range of 40-60% and an increase in the ratio of BOD/COD, which expresses increased leachate biodegradability. The following 24 days showed a decrease in the BOD/COD ratio and a constant decrease in the concentration of both parameters as an indicator of the stability of leachate quality. This pattern was followed by plant growth performance and showed the order of priority for C. papyrus, C. indica, and T. angustifolia. Conclusions: There was an adequate leachate detention time when BOD and COD decreased to a maximum. The response time of plants in reducing the concentration of substances was a new approach to plant selection.