Conference paper
A comparison between two macrophytes on their nutrient stripping ability of domestic greywater
Proceedings of the International Regional Conference on Environmental Technologies for Wastewater Management (Perth, Western Australia, 12/1997)
1999
Abstract
In experiments to determine the effectiveness of particular indigenous wetland macrophyte species to remove nutrients from domestic greywater, a comparison was made between the activity of the root zone and complete pond systems.
One series of experiments focussed on the ability of two plants, Triglochin huegelii and Schoenoplectus validus, both growing in tanks with water to a depth of 400 mm, to reduce common greywater contaminants such as nitrates, phosphates, ammonium and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
In another set of experiments the water was drained from the tanks until it was at a level just below the soil surface. These same plants were then subjected to similar tests, but with reduced greywater input. Only the activity of the root zone, including any uptake or involvement by tubers and rhizomes, was examined.
The uptake of some nutrients, such as nitrate, varies in both species type and plant part. For example, in a pond, the leaves of Triglochin clearly absorb nitrate directly from the water. In contrast, the root zone surrounding Schoenoplectus seems to be a better absorber of nitrate and ammonium ions.
Ammonium removal was more pronounced. Schoenopiectus recorded 54% and Triglochin 20% greater removal than the control tanks in the root zone experiments. However, in a pond situation, both Schoenoplectus, and Schoenoplectus and Triglochin together, were greater than Triglochin by itself and the control tanks.
BOD reduction also varies from pond to root zone studies. Schoenoplectus reduces BOD more than Triglochin in root zone analysis, but they are much the same in ponds.
Details
- Title
- A comparison between two macrophytes on their nutrient stripping ability of domestic greywater
- Authors/Creators
- R. Mars (Author/Creator)G. Ho (Author/Creator)K. Mathew (Author/Creator)
- Conference
- Proceedings of the International Regional Conference on Environmental Technologies for Wastewater Management (Perth, Western Australia, 12/1997)
- Identifiers
- 991005541640807891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Environmental Technology Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference paper
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