Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland
The use of constructed wetlands for purifying pre-treated wastewater is a cost effective technology that has been found to be more appropriate for many developing countries. The technology is also environmentally friendly with the wetlands being habitats for many water birds and other aquatic organi...
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2019-10-01
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| Series: | Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management |
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| author | F.M. Muvea G.M. Ogendi S.O. Omondi |
| author_facet | F.M. Muvea G.M. Ogendi S.O. Omondi |
| author_sort | F.M. Muvea |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of constructed wetlands for purifying pre-treated wastewater is a cost effective technology that has been found to be more appropriate for many developing countries. The technology is also environmentally friendly with the wetlands being habitats for many water birds and other aquatic organisms. This study assessed nutrient removal efficiency of two floating macrophytes (<em>Lemna minor </em>and <em>Azolla pinnata</em>). The data generated was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The significance level was maintained at 0.05. The results showed that the wastewater physicochemical parameters did not vary during the study period. The concentrations of nitrites and nitrates increased over the experimental period in all the treatments (<em>Azolla pinnata</em>,<em> Lemna minor</em> and control), and the increase between the sampling occasions was statistically significant for the two nutrients (Nitrates: F=24.78, P= 0.00; Nitrates: F=198.26, P= 0.00). To the contrary, in all the treatments the concentrations of ammonia, total phosphorous, soluble reactive phosphorous and total nitrogen, decreased over the experimental period. The decrease in concentration for these nutrients between the sampling occasions was statistically significant (ammonia: F=195.57, <em>p= 0.00</em>; total phosphorous: F= 56.50, <em>p= 0.00</em>; soluble reactive phosphorous: F= 37.11, <em>p= 0.00</em>; total phosphorous: F= 104.025, <em>p= 0.00</em>). <em>Azolla pinnata</em> proved to be better than <em>Lemna minor</em> in the uptake of the nutrients particularly for the soluble reactive phosphorous (F= 35.18, P= 0.044). We conclude that the two macrophytes are good for wastewater treatment. It is recommended introduction and/or multiplication of <em>Azolla pinnata</em> in the constructed wetlands meant for wastewater treatment especially within the tropics. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-145665d7334b4697bcb204494138889c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2383-3572 2383-3866 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-10-01 |
| publisher | GJESM Publisher |
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| series | Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management |
| spelling | doaj-art-145665d7334b4697bcb204494138889c2025-02-02T00:07:29ZengGJESM PublisherGlobal Journal of Environmental Science and Management2383-35722383-38662019-10-015441543010.22034/GJESM.2019.04.0235881Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetlandF.M. Muvea0G.M. Ogendi1S.O. Omondi2Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment and Resource Development, Egerton University, KenyaDepartment of Environmental Science, Faculty of Environment and Resource Development, Egerton University, Kenya|Dryland Research Training and Ecotourism Centre, Egerton University, Chemeron, KenyaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, Nakuru, KenyaThe use of constructed wetlands for purifying pre-treated wastewater is a cost effective technology that has been found to be more appropriate for many developing countries. The technology is also environmentally friendly with the wetlands being habitats for many water birds and other aquatic organisms. This study assessed nutrient removal efficiency of two floating macrophytes (<em>Lemna minor </em>and <em>Azolla pinnata</em>). The data generated was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The significance level was maintained at 0.05. The results showed that the wastewater physicochemical parameters did not vary during the study period. The concentrations of nitrites and nitrates increased over the experimental period in all the treatments (<em>Azolla pinnata</em>,<em> Lemna minor</em> and control), and the increase between the sampling occasions was statistically significant for the two nutrients (Nitrates: F=24.78, P= 0.00; Nitrates: F=198.26, P= 0.00). To the contrary, in all the treatments the concentrations of ammonia, total phosphorous, soluble reactive phosphorous and total nitrogen, decreased over the experimental period. The decrease in concentration for these nutrients between the sampling occasions was statistically significant (ammonia: F=195.57, <em>p= 0.00</em>; total phosphorous: F= 56.50, <em>p= 0.00</em>; soluble reactive phosphorous: F= 37.11, <em>p= 0.00</em>; total phosphorous: F= 104.025, <em>p= 0.00</em>). <em>Azolla pinnata</em> proved to be better than <em>Lemna minor</em> in the uptake of the nutrients particularly for the soluble reactive phosphorous (F= 35.18, P= 0.044). We conclude that the two macrophytes are good for wastewater treatment. It is recommended introduction and/or multiplication of <em>Azolla pinnata</em> in the constructed wetlands meant for wastewater treatment especially within the tropics.https://www.gjesm.net/article_35881_81b9f19c88af26d65a4247313b2d1929.pdfconstructed wetlandEffectivenessEfficiencymacrophytesNutrientsPhysicochemical parameters |
| spellingShingle | F.M. Muvea G.M. Ogendi S.O. Omondi Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management constructed wetland Effectiveness Efficiency macrophytes Nutrients Physicochemical parameters |
| title | Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland |
| title_full | Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland |
| title_fullStr | Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland |
| title_short | Nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes; Lemna minor and Azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland |
| title_sort | nutrient removal efficiency by floating macrophytes lemna minor and azolla pinnata in a constructed wetland |
| topic | constructed wetland Effectiveness Efficiency macrophytes Nutrients Physicochemical parameters |
| url | https://www.gjesm.net/article_35881_81b9f19c88af26d65a4247313b2d1929.pdf |
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