Phytoremediation of Aquacultures Effluent by Pandan and Kesum Plants

Abstract

Phytoremediation treatment is gaining more popularity in treating aquaculture effluent. The ability of herb plants such as pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) and kesum (Polygonum minus) in wastewater treatment was rarely studied by previous researchers. In this study, the aquaculture effluent was treated by phytoremediation employing these two herbs plants. The experiment was conducted in the hydroponic pot systems for four weeks. The aquaculture's effluent was analysed for biological oxygen demand (BOD₅), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia and nitrate concentration. From the result, the pandan plant was able to remove 65.24% BOD₅, 94.99% TSS, 98.93% ammonia, and 84.29% nitrate, while kesum removed 82.78% BOD₅, 94.51% TSS, 99.78% ammonia, and 47.32 nitrate. Both plants are similarly able to remove about 94% TSS and 98% ammonia. Significantly, pandan was more efficient in reducing nitrate, while kesum performed better in reducing BOD₅. The combination of both plants can improve the quality of aquaculture effluent in a very cost-effective way.