Trace Elements Removal from Waster water by <i>Ceratophyllum demersum</i>

Abstract

Trace element contamination in aquatic ecosystems is one of the most important concerning of environmental health. Submerged aquatic plants can be used for the removal of Trace elements. The aim of this study was to investigate how Ceratophyllum demersum could affect on wastewater quality for recycling the wastewater to reuse for other purposes in agriculture and industrial fields. In this survey, two treatments in four replications were designed. The treatments were included raw municipal wastewater (RMW) and treated municipal wastewater (TMW). The experiment performed in outdoor of Khorasgan University area without aeration through 18 days period. In this study Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd were measured in wastewater through experiment. The average of removal efficiency of Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd from TMW were 40%, 47.5%, 90.82%, 96.55%, 100% and 100% respectively. Removal efficiency of Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Cd from RMW were 67.5%, 37.5%, 94.21%, 94.21%, 100% and 97.77% respectively. The results indicated that Ceratophyllum demersum had high capabilities to remove trace elements directly from the contaminated water. Therefore it can conclude that Ceratophyllum demersum could be used for refining the wastewater.

Key words: Trace elements, Aquatic ecosystems, Ceratophyllum demersum, wastewater