Effectiveness of aquatic plants in reducing water nitrates

Due to the lack of fresh water, the purification of polluted water is of utmost importance and places a significant financial burden on countries. The effect of Myriophyllum spicatum and Lemna gibba on nitrate absorption in an area of the Tigris River has been investigated in the light of the low cost and ease of application of aquatic plants in purifying water pollution. Aquarium experiments were designed with three treatments, three replicates, and a closed flow. In the aquarium, the biological requirements for the growth of the studied plants were met. The residence time was determined to be ۳۶ days, and nitrate changes were recorded every three days, ۱۲ times. Except for periods ۳ and ۴, there were significant differences in the rate of nitrate absorption between the studied plants in all treatments (P < ۰.۰۵). At the end of the ۱۲th period, M. spicatum and L. gibba had contaminant removal efficiency of ۸۳.۳۱% and ۸۶.۲۷%, respectively. L. gibba ability to utilize nitrate as a nutrient was demonstrated by its significantly increased dry weight at the end of the experiment (P < ۰.۰۵). In the current study, the significant difference between the average levels of nitrate in the samples and the control sample indicates the presence of a factor other than bacterial decomposition, namely the presence of plants. According to the findings, these macrophytes are viable for reducing nitrate and organic matter loads in polluted waters. Controlling these macrophytes, so that the nutrients in their tissues do not return to the environment during decomposition is necessary to improve water quality and maintain the achieved quality.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nitrate ، Myriophyllum spicatum ، Lemna gibba ، Contaminant removal