PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF DUCKWEED (LEMNA MINOR L: A TINY AQUATIC PLANT) IN THE REMOVAL OF POLLUTANTS FROM DOMESTIC WASTEWATER WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NUTRIENTS

Abstract

Phytoremediation potential of Duck weed Lemna minor L. was studied invitro for the period of seven days to investigate the removal of pollutants in domestic wastewater with special reference to nutrients. The study was conducted in plastic tubs of six inches deep and of 175cm diameter. Twenty liter domestic wastewater was used in tubs for the culture of Duck weed. The domestic wastewater quality was assessed by analyzing Physicochemical characters and obtained data was indicated as initial value. 100g of fresh weight of Lemna minor L was cultured for the period of seven days and again domestic wastewater was analyzed for the same Physicochemical parameters and obtained values were indicated as final value. Net primary productivity (NPP) of Duck weed was also determined by Harvest method for the period of culture. The study revealed that pH, Dissolved oxygen and Percentage oxygen saturation value had increased, while the values for other studied Physico chemical parameters decreased significantly after seven days of culture of Lemna minor L. An increase in value of pH. Dissolved oxygen, Percentage oxygen saturation and decrease in value of Alkalinity, Carbon di oxide concentration, Chloride, and C.O.D., Hardness, Nitrogen and Phosphorus value indicated an improvement in water quality. An increase in fresh weight of Lemna minor L. and NPP value have suggested its great potential in Phytoremediation for removal of pollutants with special reference to nutrients like Nitrogen and Phosphorus from domestic wastewater.