Nutrients Removal of Treated Wastewater of UTP Sewage Treatment Plant by Using Aquatic Macrophytes in Horizontal Baffle Flow Reactor

Wastewater originates from numerous activities from domestic, industrial,
agricultural, surface run-off and also infiltration system. The discharge of the
wastewater from the activities listed above is considered as a serious treats to the
ecosystem if it not dealt properly. That is why the discharges or effluent from the
wastewater needs to be treated properly before it can be safely release back to the
ecosystem. Phytoremediation is a type of bioremediation process where it utilizes
green plants as a removal body to biologically clean up the hazardous contaminants
in soil and water. This study will assess on the efficiency, suitability of the aquatic
macrophyte ie. water lettuce to treat the wastewater effluent. The study resulted in
nitrate removal of 20 – 40%, 30 – 95% for removal of ammonia, 45% of phosphorus
removal and COD removal is 20 – 50%. Reactor 1 containing Pistia Stratiotes or
water lettuce had the most nutrient removal than Reactor 2 and this is confirmed by
the water lettuce growth of more than 90% in all compartments of Reactor 1. Water
lettuce is able to absorb the nutrients from the system and use it for its growth.