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plants.
INTRODUCTION
More than 70 % of the surface water is polluted by industrial and
sewage effluents generated in
cities. Aanthropogenic activities
releasing untreated sewage water is the major one which contains
high
molecular weight compounds such as sugars, fats, oils, proteins obtained
from domestic and
industrial wastes and can causes bad odour, colour,
taste and algal growth [11]. Phytoremediation
is one of the best
solutions for removing pollutants from the sewage and making it suitable
for
reuse. Macrophytes-based wastewater treatment systems have several
potential advantages
compared with conventional treatment systems and
can act as biofilters in the wastewater
treatment technologies [12].
The conventional wastewater treatment process is inconvenient in
the form of its operation and also
very costly due to its maintenance.
Therefore, efforts are made for the use of natural process, which
can be
used as an eco-friendly and effective source for treatment. Root zone is
a bioremediation
process that uses various types of plants to remove,
transfer, stabilize and destroy contaminants in
the wastewater. Plants
can extract heavy metals, natural aromatic and hydrocarbon compounds
and
man-made chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and
antibiotics. This approach
is a promising clean up technology, which is
both low-tech and low cost and reduces remedial cost,
restore habitat
and clean up contamination [16].
The use of macrophytes such as Pistia and Eichhornia for
phytoremediaion of wastewater polluted
by organic and inorganic
pollutants was investigated by Elumalai et al., [8] and Fonkou et al.,
[9].
Similarly the capacity of vascular aquatic plants to assimilate
nutrients from polluted waters is well
recognized viz, duckweed and
Azolla offer potential alternatives for treating sewage. The use
of
Azolla, an aquatic fern with high growth rate and productivity, seems to
be very promising to
improve treated urban wastewater quality. The
biosorption and bioadsorvent of N[O.sub.3.sup.-2],
P[O.sub.4.sup.-2] and
S[O.sub.4.sup.-2] from sewage water using Azolla is well proven fact
[14].
Azolla has been used extensively and effectively for green manure
in rice field. Interest in the use of
this plant as a biological filter
for the renovation of wastewater has increased nowadays [18].
Duckweed
(Lemna minor) is a floating aquatic macrophyte, which occur worldwide on
the surface
of nutrient rich fresh and brackish water. It is used in
water quality improvement, to monitor heavy
metals, removal of
nutrients, soluble salts, organic matter and suspended solids by
accumulating
these compounds selectively. It has some unique
physiological properties (small size, rapid growth
between pH 5 and 9
and vegetative propagation), which make it an ideal system
for
phytoremediation [13]. The aquatic macrophytes work most efficiently
when wastewater is
diluted in different ratios because the pollutants
are also diluted, which become suitable for growth
and survival of these
plants. The diluted wastewater is making favourable conditions
for
phytoremediation.
Several researchers have worked on phytoremediation of municipalwastewater using various aquatic
plants. However the success ofimplementing this technology is depending on selection of
appropriateand most efficient plant species. The functioning of selected plantsystem depends on
type of contaminants in the wastewater and growth ofthe plants used. Present study was focused to
find out efficient andbetter functioning plant species for phytoremediation of sewage water
atdifferent levels of dilution and the testing was done to know the highlysuitable plant species for
wastewater treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Wastewater sample (about 120 litters) was collected from sewage
treatment plants of Pune
Municipal Corporation located at Bopodi during
the year 2012-13 and brought to the laboratory in
plastic containers for
conducting the experiment. The aquatic plants selected for
phytoremediation
viz Azolla pinnata and Lemna minor were collected
freshly from natural pond at Horticulture
Research Station Ganesh Khind,
Pune, and brought to the laboratory in plastic bags along with
water.
These plants were cleaned properly to remove dirt and dust under tap
water and stabilized
in laboratory conditions for 2-3 days to normalise
their growth.
Factorial arrangement with randomized complete block design with
three replications was used to
conduct the experiment at Department of
Environmental Science, University of Pune, India.
Treatments included
P0: no plant, P1: Azolla pinnata and P2: Lemna minor and ratios
of
wastewater: distilled water were R0: 100 % wastewater, R1:75 %
wastewater + 25 % distilled
water, R2: 50 % wastewater + 50 % distilled
water and R3: 25 % wastewater + 75 % distilled water.
The wastewater
after dilution with distilled water in the proportion as mentioned above
was poured
into rounded, transparent plastic trough (18x20x20cm) having
surface area 254 [cm.sup.2]. The
capacity of each plastic trough was
about 5 litters. Selected plants, 5 g each of Azolla pinnata and
Lemna
minor were inoculated separately in above containers as per the
experimental design. The
laboratory conditions were maintained uniform
throughout the experimental period (30 days).
All the physicochemical characteristics of wastewater samples (pre
and post treatments) such as
pH, EC, TDS, N[O.sub.3.sup.-2],
P[O.sub.4.sup.-2] and S[O.sub.4.sup.-2] were determined by
using
standard methods (APHA, AWWA, WEF, 2005). The results were analyzed
statistically by
using MSTATC computer software and a comparison of
recorded data was done on the basis of
Duncan's multiple range
tests at Alfa level 5%.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
pH:
The pH range during phytoremediation plays a key role and
favourable pH for the growth of plants
varied according to species used
for purification and dilution ratios. The results of
present
investigation indicated that aquatic plants, dilution of wastewater and
combination of both
(aquatic plants and diluted wastewater, 1:3) have
caused significant reduction in pH value as
compare to initial stage
(Fig. 1 and Table 1). Slightly alkaline pH was reported by Elumalai et
al.,
[8]. The results of present study are in agreement with above work.
According to Azeez and Sabbar,
[2] and Sengar et al., [15] release of
CO2 during phytoremediation is positively correlated with
change in pH.
EC:
The electrical conductivity at final stage was reduced when
compared to initial stage in all
treatments. Highest EC was recorded in
absence of aquatic plants as compare to the presence of
Azolla and Lemna
(Fig. 2 A). The EC was higher in municipal wastewater without dilution
with DW,
while the lowest EC was observed with highest dilution ratio
(1:3) (Fig. 2 B). In combination
treatment of dilution with DW and
aquatic plants EC value was reduced as compare to no dilution
and no
plants. The EC value goes on decreasing along with increasing dilution
and use of plants.
The lowest EC was in treatment (1:3) dilution with
Lemna (32 [micro]mohs/cm) followed by Azolla
(41 [micro]mohs/cm) (Table
1). The results clearly revealed reduction in EC in presence of plants
as
well as with dilution of sewage wastewater. The results of present
investigation are inconformity
with Chavan and Dhulap, [4]. They noted
the reduction in EC by 32 to 80 % during sewage
treatment using Cana
indica, which is promising emergent macrophytes for sustainable used
in
wastewater treatment. The range of EC mostly depends on the
concentration of various types of
soluble salts in wastewater. The
decrease in EC during phytoremediation indicated the heavy
uptake of
salts by both the plants used. Dipu et al., [6] and Dar et al., [5]
recorded reduction in EC
with dilution and in presence of Pistia and
Eichhornia species respectively.
TDS:
The total dissolved solids at final stage were decreased
significantly in presence of Azolla and
Lemna as compare to their
initial stage (Fig. 3 A). The TDS was decreased by increasing
dilution
and the minimum value was in dilution treatment 1:3 (Fig. 3 B). The TDS
value of municipal
wastewater varied with interaction between plant
species and dilution ratios. The lowest value (21.3
mg/[l.sup.-]) (1: 3)
was observed in presence of Lemna and highest dilution it was followed
by
Azolla (26.7 mg/[l.sup.-]) (Table 1). Azeez and Sabbar, [2] reported
very high reduction in TDS (48.9
%) in phytotreatment of wastewater with
duckweed. They attributed the decrease in TDS to the
capacity of plants
to take some organic and inorganic ions. Results of present study
corroborates
with above findings. Dipu et al., [6] observed very high
reduction in TDS for dairy effluents using
some aquatic macrophytes.
Chavan and Dhulap, [4] also reported 25 to 50 % reduction in TDS
by
using Cana indica. El-Kheir et al, [7] observed significant reduction in
TDS, improving the
quality of domestic wastewater by using Lemna.
Decrease in TDS reflects improvement in quality of
wastewater due to
phytoremediation.
[FIGURE 1 OMITTED]
[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]
[FIGURE 3 OMITTED]
Nitrate:
Nitrates are commonly present in various forms in the wastewater
and are important for plant
growth. The nitrate content in presence of
Azolla and Lemna was reduced by 66.3 and 73.5 % as
compare control
respectively (Fig. 4 A). The mean comparison of dilution effect showed
lowest
N[O.sub.3.sup.-2] (15.11 mg/[l.sup.-]) in 1:3 dilution of
wastewater as compare to no dilution (98.44
mg/[l.sup.-]) (Fig. 4 B).
The impact of dilution and plant species clearly indicated
Phytoremediation of municipal wastewater using aquatic macrophytes
such as Azolla and Lemna
has proved to be a very convenient, highly
effective and mostly nature friendly technology. It is low
cost and
sustainable, protecting the environment from water pollution, which is
very threatening to
the survival of human beings. From the results of
present investigation it can be concluded that
Azolla and Lemna will
serve the purpose of wastewater treatment in municipal areas which
are
easily manageable. Amongst both them Lemna was more efficient for
reducing almost all the
parameters studied in the state of dilution of
wastewater (1: 3) as it is highly convenient for active
growth of these
plants, which enable them to function at optimum level for improving the
quality of
wastewater.
ARTICLE INFO
Article history:
Received 15 November 2013
Received in revised form 14
January 2014
Accepted 20 January 2014
Available online 25 February 2014
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors express their sincere thanks to Head of Environmental
Science Department, University
of Pune, Pune-7 for providing the
research facility to conduct this experiment and for giving
inspiration,
guidance as well as technical support.
REFERENCES
[1] APHA, AWWA, WEF, 2005. Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater,
21th ed. American Public Health Association,
American Water Works Association, Water
Environment Federation,
Washington DC, U.S.A.
[2] Azeez, N., M. and A.A. Sabbar., 2012. Efficiency of duckweed
(Lemna minor L.) in
phytotreatment of wastewater pollutions from basrah
oil refinery. Journal of Applied Phtotechnology
in Environmental
Sanitation., 1(4): 163-172.
[3] Chavan, B., L. and V.P. Dhulap, 2012a. Sewage treatment with
constructed wetland using
Panicum maximum forage grass. Journal of
Environ Sci and water Resources., 1(9): 223-230.
[4] Chavan, B.L. and V.P. Dhulap, 2012 b. Optimization of polluted
concentration in sewage
treatment using constructed wetland through
pytoremediation. International Journal of Advanced
Research in
Engineering and Applied Science, 1(6).
[5] Dar, S.H.D., M. Kumawat, N. Singh and K.A. Wani, 2011. Sewage
treatment potential of water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). Research
Journal of Environmental Science, 5(4): 377-385.
[6] Dipu, S., A. Anju, V. Kumar and S.G. Thanga, 2010.
Pytoremediation of dairy effluent by
Ahvaz, Iran.
Corresponding Author: Hossein Azarpira, Department of Environmental
Sciences, University of
Pune, Pune-07-India
E-mail: hazarpira912@gmail.com
Table 1: Interaction effect of plant species and ratios on
pH, EC and TDS of wastewater during
phytoremediation
Treatment pH EC ([micro]mohs/cm)
Initial Final Initial Final
P0R0 7.4 a 7.3 a
3555.0 a 3549.0 a
P0R1 7.5 a 7.4 a 2682.0 b 2632.0 b
P0R2 7.4 a 7.2 a 1793.0 c 1768.0 cd
P0R3
7.3 a 7.2 a 881.3 d 866.7 e
P1R0 7.5 a 7.1 a 2355.0 a 1938.0 c
P1R1 7.5 a 7.0 a 2682.0 b 537.7
f
P1R2 7.4 a 7.0 a 1793.0 c 176.0 g
P1R3 7.2 a 7.1 a 881.3 d 41.0 g
P2R0 7.3 a 7.2 a 3555.0 a
1592.0 d
P2R1 7.4 a 7.3 a 2682.0 b 472.0 f
P2R2 7.4 a 7.2 a 1793.0 c 121.3 g
P2R3 7.3 a 7.2 a
881.3 d 32.0 g
Treatment TDS (mg/[l.sup.-])
Initial Final
P0R0 2355.0 a 2325.0 a
P0R1 1805.0 b
1789.0 b
P0R2 1153.0 c 1135.0 d
P0R3 592.0 d 569.0 e
P1R0 2355.0 a 1317.0 c
P1R1 1805.0 b
358.3 f
P1R2 1153.0 c 113.0 g
P1R3 592.0 d 27.0 h
P2R0 2355.0 a 1109.0 d
P2R1 1805.0 b 325.0
f
P2R2 1153.0 c 85.3 g
P2R3 592.0 d 21.3 h
Means with different letters are
significantly
different at P = 0.05, using Duncan's
Multiple Range Test.
Table 2: Interaction effect
of plant species and ratios on
N[O.sub.3.sup.-2], P[O.sub.4.sup.-2] and S[O.sub.4.sup.-2]
content of
wastewater during phytoremediation
Treatment N[O.sub.3.sup.-2] content (mg/[l.sup.-])
Initial
Final
P0R0 153.3 a 143.3 a
P0R1 118.0 b 116.3 b
P0R2 76.0 c 70.7 d
P0R3 43.0 d 38.3 e
P1R0
153.3 a 80.0 c
P1R1 118.0 b 35.0 e
P1R2 76.0 c 6.7 g
P1R3 43.0 d 3.0 g
P2R0 153.3 a 71.0 d
P2R1
118.0 b 19.0 f
P2R2 76.0 c 4.0 g
P2R3 43.0 d 4.0 g
Treatment P[O.sub.4.sup.-2] content
(mg/[l.sup.-])
Initial Final
P0R0 16.0 a 14.7 a
P0R1 11.3 b 10.3 b
P0R2 10.0 b 9.0 c
P0R3 7.0 c
5.0 e
P1R0 16.0 a 7.3 d
P1R1 11.3 b 2.7 f
P1R2 10.0 b 1.0 gh
P1R3 7.0 c 0.7 hi
P2R0 16.0 a 5.0
e
P2R1 11.3 b 1.3 g
P2R2 10.0 b 1.0 gh
P2R3 7.0 c 0.3 i
Treatment S[O.sub.4.sup.-2] content
(mg/[l.sup.-])
Initial Final
P0R0 64.7 a 59.7 a
P0R1 44.3 b 42.0 b
P0R2 36.7 b 32.7 c
P0R3 17.7 d
13.0 f
P1R0 65.3 a 29.7 d
P1R1 44.3 b 15.0 e
P1R2 36.7 c 3.7 h
P1R3 17.7 d 1.5 i
P2R0 64.7 a
29.3 d
P2R1 44.3 b 9.3 g
P2R2 36.7 c 3.0 h
P2R3 17.7 d 1.3 i
Means with different letters are
significantly
different at P = 0.05, using Duncan's
Multiple Range Test.
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