Enhancement of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants Employing Eichhornia crassipes Biofilters

Abstract

Floating plant-based wastewater treatment systems have gained recognition as effective approaches for remediating a diverse range of contaminants in water, encompassing nutrients, organic matter, and toxic substances such as arsenic, zinc, cadmium, copper, lead, chromium, and mercury. Their primary advantage lies in their suitability for rural areas due to their low consumption of conventional energy and the simplicity of construction and operation. This research delved into the incorporation of Eichhornia crassipes, locally known as “Lechuguin,” into biofilters for domestic wastewater treatment. A scaled-down prototype of the actual treatment system was constructed to emulate its performance and evaluate its efficacy in nutrient removal. The primary objective was to reduce pollutant parameter levels below permissible limits before discharging the treated effluent into a receiving water body. The behavior of floating lechuguines in the biofilter was analyzed, considering general aspects such as the advantages and disadvantages of employing these plants for wastewater depuration. The results obtained demonstrated favorable outcomes in some water quality parameters, while others were inconclusive.