Phytoremediation of Wastewater withLimnocharis Flava, Thalia GeniculataandTypha Latifoliain Constructed Wetlands

Abstract

Phytoremediation is thought to be the most sustainable wastewater treatment option for developing countries. However, its application is often limited by unavailability of suitable candidate species. In the present study, the potentials of Limnocharis flava, Thalia geniculata and Typha latifolia for remediation of heavy metal contaminated wastewater with a constructed wetland system were evaluated. The wetland consisted of three treatment lines each planted with sufficient and equal number of a species. Duplicate plant and water samples were collected bi-monthly and analyzed for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer over a six month period. Bioaccumulation rates generally increased over time and varied among plants for these metals, with Fe (456-1549 mg kg1 roots; 20-183 mg kg(-1) shoot) being the most sequestered and Pb (1.2-7.6 mg kg(-1) roots; 1.55-3.95 mg kg(-1) shoot) the least. Translocation factors differed among the species but generally remained stable over time. L flava showed potential for hyperaccumulating Hg. Removal efficiencies varied for the studied metals (approximately 20-77 %) and were generally related to metal uptake by the plants. These results demonstrate the suitability of the species for phytoremediation, and the usefulness of the technique as an option for improving irrigation water quality in Ghana.

Removal of Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn Present in Aqueous Solution Using Coupled Electrocoagulation-Phytoremediation Treatment

“…2+ had a reduction of 20% at day 1 and subsequently remained constant; similar results were reported by Anning et al, 2013, with the removal of 33.84% Cu present in wastewater by Typha latifolia. The reduction of Pb concentration was gradual, obtaining a total removal at 7 days of 61.9%, close to that observed by Oquendo [56] when removing 62% lead solution at 2 ppm using the same macrophytes.…”

“…Anning et al [55] worked with a mixture of 0.31 mg/l * ANOVA < 0.05 and Dunnett's multiple range test [52]. (b) Concentration of chlorophylls/carotenes in Typha latifolia.…”

Influence of Soil Chemistry and Plant Physiology in the Phytoremediation of Cu, Mn, and Zn

“…There is a great interest in applying phytoremediation to agriculture as well as to military and industrial fields that present contamination problems (Andreazza et al, 2011;Mackie et al, 2012;Panz and Miksch, 2012;Pignattelli et al, 2012;Testiati et al, 2013). Polluted waters that can be phytoremediated include sewage and municipal wastewater, agricultural runoff/drainage water, industrial waste water, landfill leachate and mine drainage (Agunbiade et al, 2009;Anning et al, 2013;Boojar and Tavakkoli, 2011;Vaseem and Banerjee, 2012).…”

Cadmium and Lead content in Liver and Kidney tissues of Wild Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura (Linneo, 1758) from Chañaral, Atacama desert, Chile

“…Furthermore, some plants can incorporate these elements (Kabata-Pendias 2004, Anning et al 2013, Amer et al 2013, however it is important to assess the incorporation of these elements in the primary consumers, and the rest of the trophic networks. For example, high levels of heavy metals and other chemicals have been found in several species, such as waterfowl (Oxyura leucocephala) (Taggart et al 2009), cormorants and gannets (Martin et al 2008) and several species of raptors (Mendoza et al 2006, Pérez-López et al 2008, Garcia-Fernandez et al 2008) and vultures (van Wyk et al 2001, Hermoso de Mendoza et al 2006, Nam & Lee 2009).…”