Lab Scale Study of Nitrate Removal By Phytoremediation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to Cultivate three suitable emergent herbaceous species (reed (Phragmites australis), bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), and umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius)) in laboratory scale using hydroponic method and to examine their potential in removing nitrate from contaminated water. Three containers with initial NO3--N concentration of 15, 20, 25 mg/L, one container of perfect omex fertilizer and the last one with plane water and soil were used in this study. The variations of nitrate concentration, its removal rate, and plant growth (dry and wet weight) were all measured during 8 months of the study. The experimental results indicated that reeds had higher ability to remove nitrate as compared to bamboo and umbrella plant. For the highest concentration, reeds, bamboo and umbrella plant absorbed about 95, 85 and 70 percent nitrate, respectively. There was a direct relation between dry weight and removal efficiency and the most amount of nitrate absorption was measured in root and rhizome of the plant