Waste Water Management through Aquatic Macrophytes

Various wastewater treatment technologies are being used depending on various factors ranging from their availability, suitability and cost effectiveness to the local conditions. Many of the available technologies, although very effective are not used very frequently as they are cost intensive. Aquatic Macrophytes growing in and around water bodies have shown great potential in removal of pollutants. Many studies have been conducted in the past which reveal wastewater treatment potential of aquatic macrophytes. However, the studies in past mostly focused on a single species and were merely laboratory experiments that were conducted in stagnant waters of aquarium. The present study deals with assessment of treatment potential of two aquatic macrophytes grown in combination. The study also deals with online treatment of river Varuna water using combination of aquatic macrophytes. The results of the online study reveal that D. O. increased by 5.46%, B.O.D. decreased by 17.43%, C.O.D. decreased by 18.7%, Nitrate decreased by16.2% and Phosphate decreased by17.1%.