Investigating the Use of Lemna in Wastewater Treatment for the Removal of Turbidity, COD, Nitrate, and TOC

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Islamic Azad University, Tehran-North Branch, Iran

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a strategic method employed to reduce, standardize, or completely eliminate pollutants from groundwater and soil. Lemna, a monocotyledonous plant from the Araceae family, is considered an ideal candidate for phytoremediation due to its unique properties, such as rapid propagation, high biomass production, bioaccumulation potential, pollutant reduction capabilities, and adaptability to a variety of pollutants. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Lemna in wastewater treatment, specifically in removing turbidity, COD, nitrate, and TOC. Sampling was conducted to assess the plant's phytoremediation capacity.
The results demonstrate that increased exposure duration significantly reduces nitrate levels, turbidity, COD, and TOC, ultimately achieving complete pollutant removal. This research confirms the potential of Lemna to reduce and eliminate these parameters in domestic wastewater with lower nitrate concentrations.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Parnian, A., Charm, M., Jafarzadeh Haghighi Fard, N., & Dinarvand, M. (2011). Phytoremediation of nickel from hydroponic environments using hornwort. Journal of Greenhouse Cultivation Science and Technology, 2(6), 75-84. [In Persian]
Alizadeh, A. (2007). Comparing the effects of organic chelators, synthetic chelators, and compost in remediating soils contaminated with cadmium, lead, and nickel under rapeseed cultivation. Master’s thesis, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, p. 86. [In Persian]
Ghahreman, A. (1994). Comorphytes of Iran (Plant Systematics), Vol. 4. Tehran University Press, 768 pp. [In Persian]
Iranian Institute of Standards and Industrial Research. (2009). Drinking water – Physical and chemical properties. National Iranian Standard No. 1053, 4th Edition, Tehran, p. 10. [In Persian]
Abreu, C.A., Coscione, A.R., Pires, A.M., & Paz-Ferreiro, J. (2012). Phytoremediation of a soil contaminated by heavy metals and boron using castor oil plants and organic matter amendments. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 123, 3-7.
Abul Kashem, Md., Singh, B.R., Imamul Huq, S.M., & Kawai, Sh. (2008). Cadmium phytoremediation efficiency of arum (Colocasia antiquorum), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) grown in hydroponics. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 192, 273-279.
Aravind, P., & Prasad, M.N.V. (2005). Cadmium-zinc interaction in a hydroponic system using Ceratophyllum demersum L.: Adaptive ecophysiology, biochemistry, and molecular toxicology. Journal of Plant Physiology, 17(1), 3-20.
Badruk, M., Kabay, N., Demircioglu, M., Mordogan, H., & Ipekoglu, U. (1999). Removal of boron from geothermal power plant wastewater using selective ion-exchange resins. I. Batch sorption-elution studies. Separation Science and Technology, 34(13), 2553-2569.
Bakirdere, S., Örenay, S., & Korkmaz, M. (2010). Effect of boron on human health. The Open Mineral Processing Journal, 3, 54-59.
Bocuk, H., Yakara, A., & Turker, O.C. (2013). Assessment of Lemna gibba L. (Lamna) as a potential ecological indicator for contaminated aquatic ecosystems by boron mine effluent. Ecological Indicators, 29, 538-548.