Phytoremediation of Wastewater with Limnocharis Flava, Thalia Geniculata and Typha Latifolia in 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 (∼ 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.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of International Journal of Phytoremediation to view the supplemental file.

KEY WORDS:

• bioaccumulation
• heavy metal
• removal efficiency
• translocation factor

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the staff of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, KNUST, for research permits and logistical support. This research was supported by the International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden, through a grant to Alexander K. Anning.