Phytoremediation of domistic wastwater for reducing trace metals

Abstract EN

In this research, phytoremediation using Lemnaceae plant (Lemna minor L.) to clean up contaminated domestic waste water, has been carried out.

The results showed that this plant has the capability to take up, accumulate and degrade water contaminants. Qualitative and quantitative effects of phytoremediation were also studied.

It was noted that the properties of domestic wastewater were dramatically improved, so it became clear besides the removal of the unpleasant odor and the viscous mainstay.

The percents of removal of lead, copper and zinc in real samples of domestic wastewater have reached 91.98, 90.50 and 89.48%; respectively, throughout 45 days.

However, the removal percent in the first fifteen days were very high to reach 66.95, 68.80 and47.61%; respectively. The effect of solar radiation was studied to demonstrate that it was essential for the phytoremediation processes.

Removal of the elements by the plant was active in the presence of sunlight. Another phytoremediation study has been accomplished; pertaining to samples for the salts of copper and lead with specific proportions; prepared by using distilled water besides the addition of plant nutrients.

The effect of metals concentrations was also studied. The effect of the type of the anion was also studied, and no effect was observed.

However, the rate of the metals reduction was found to be dependent on the concentration and the type of metal. The concentrations of different metals were determined by using atomic absorption and anodic stripping voltammetry techniques.